If this is true I’m happy for Lehner. I know not everyone was/is a fan of the Panda, but I think he’s earned a decent contract like this. The term and amount is reasonable for a starting netminder.
- DarthKane

A borderline team like Chicago can't have a goalie who craps his pants on shootouts he was just a bad fit for where we are at.

This is true of a lot of modern defensive schemes (Yeah, most of them are the same, I know) where if everyone is in the right spot, it's great, but there's no such thing as a small breakdown.
- BINGO!

Totally agree, Bingo. Great points.

I agree and most of us on here are just average fans who don't have a ton of hockey experience.

I would assume opposing coaches and players caught on to this fact and exploit it routinely. I think that is why we see so many teams activate their D against the Hawks.

It just creates even more chaos and running around in the dzone.
- bhawks2241

Agree, other teams know how to exploit weaknesses especially if they're so glaring like the ones the Blackhawks have.

Apply constant pressure, create a turnover (even unforced ones), pounce on the puck, and convert to a high scoring chance.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

This is true of a lot of modern defensive schemes (Yeah, most of them are the same, I know) where if everyone is in the right spot, it's great, but there's no such thing as a small breakdown.
- BINGO!

Interesting to hear Versteeg on recent Chiclets podcast briefly mention his time in Sweden. He said their type of system will not work in the NHL, and that a lot of Hawk coaches are teaching it. No idea if that is true or not.

Interesting to hear Versteeg on recent Chiclets podcast briefly mention his time in Sweden. He said their type of system will not work in the NHL, and that a lot of Hawk coaches are teaching it. No idea if that is true or not.
- RaleighHawk

I don't put a lot of stock into Kris Versteeg's theories. Great guy but I highly doubt he'll be a coach at the NHL level.

Interesting to hear Versteeg on recent Chiclets podcast briefly mention his time in Sweden. He said their type of system will not work in the NHL, and that a lot of Hawk coaches are teaching it. No idea if that is true or not.
- RaleighHawk

Not to say his opinion is wrong but there's probably some context and/or nuance more than simply "it won't work in the NHL". The larger ice surface alone would change the equation. I would be interested in hearing the reason(s) he based his opinion on.

Interesting to hear Versteeg on recent Chiclets podcast briefly mention his time in Sweden. He said their type of system will not work in the NHL, and that a lot of Hawk coaches are teaching it. No idea if that is true or not.
- RaleighHawk

I would say that it's likely true, at least objectively, given Colliton coached in Sweden then brought over a Swedish hockey product in Tomas Mitell as an assistant coach.

Whether the commentary that Versteeg provided about it not working in the NHL is another thing, though. He could be right but it could also just be opinion.

I don't put a lot of stock into Kris Versteeg's theories. Great guy but I highly doubt he'll be a coach at the NHL level.
- BINGO!

I have the same opinion of Versteeg. Entertaining for those that like his brand of personality but he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

RaleighHawk: This isn't a knock on you at all, by the way! You're just sharing what you heard on that podcast.

Debrincat (frank)ed your wife didn't he?
- GPHawksfan

No my dog.

Lehner reportedly getting new contract with Vegas at $5M x 5 years.
- Theo Fox

So in the offseason, Vegas will be looking to dump Fleury's salary, and the Rangers are looking to dump Lundqvist salary, will be interesting to see what sweetners are included, along with probably max salary retention.

to further the discussion on the previous blog

https://www.tsn.ca/serava...covid-19-crunch-1.1522380
- LAHawk

So based on this info would it be possible or plausible for the Hawks to trade for OEL and a promising young prospect because they want to shed salary for say Maatta?

I don't put a lot of stock into Kris Versteeg's theories. Great guy but I highly doubt he'll be a coach at the NHL level.
- BINGO!

You mean the often time scratched player when Q was coach? Nah couldn't be

All of us reading and blogging on hockeybuzz are fortunate, indeed, and grateful not only for Tyler's superb job, but also for Theo's thoroughness and keen insight now that the baton has been handed off

An area of some concern to myself has been mentioned a few times in past months but I do not know if anyone has answer about a situation soon to be at hand. This is about the prospects Theo says need to marinate in Rockford. But there is no "Rockford files" pertaining to the feasibility of an AHL season which makes sense economically for member AHL teams to play out.

As far as I know fan attendance is paramount. Loads of PR, interactive stuff, and just fan interaction with the team does drive ticket sales. But with covid19 there is no turning to a fat TV cable contract for revenue, so how can teams stay afloat? How does a season even happen. Could there be a situation develop akin to MLB wherin they have a minor league practice site? But are games even played. Maybe they simulate with intra squad contests?

I am confidant we have some descent prospects but I wonder about their timeline to reach NHL level in light of covid19 effect on minor league hockey.

I also want to point out to a red letter day. Actually it is a red diary which Special K maintained. Excellent story about how how he turned his season around over at The Athletic. Elbows though is surely not going to say anything positive about his least admired Blackhawk

NHL announces that free agency and the league year starts on Oct 9. Regarding the league year, I think that's when salary bonuses are paid and, in the case of Saad, when his modified NTC for next season kicks in.

Interesting thing I found on capfriendly.com about Saad is that even though his AAV is 6M, he is getting paid 6.5M next season. Usually see contracts front loaded in terms of payout not back loaded

So based on this info would it be possible or plausible for the Hawks to trade for OEL and a promising young prospect because they want to shed salary for say Maatta?
- BetweenTheDots

Problem is the Hawks are in their own salary cap pickle.

i for one find it really odd the NHL didn't include some sort of buy out or cap relief. a flat cap is gonna be hell for alot of teams.

Problem is the Hawks are in their own salary cap pickle.
- LAHawk

That didn't stop Bowman offering Parise and Suter all that money? This will be a really interesting offseason

i WANT EVERYONE TO LOOK AT THE 4 TEAMS LEFT IN THE PLAYOFFS , EVERYONE OF THEM KNOW HOW TO BATTLE FOR THE PUCK. AND PLAY A PHYSICAL GAME. THERE IS WAY TOO MUCH DEAD WEIGHT ON THIS BLACKHAWK TEAM. THEY NEED A THIRD LINE THAT IS GOING TO BATTLE AND WIN THE BOARDS. THEY NEED TO GET BIGGER ON THE WING. I WOULD SHIP DEBRINCAT , STROME AND NYLANDER OUT! I WOULD LOVE TO TRADE DEBRINCAR AND STROME TO DETROIT FOR BERTUZZI BUT I THINK STEVE Y IS TOO SMART FOR THAT
- Ging72

This is a joke, right?

Comparing their stats (Games Played, Goals, Assists, Points, Shooting Percentage, Points Per Games, Even Streingth Goals, Even Streignth Points, Power Play Goals, Power Play Points, Shots on Goal, and +/-) over that past three years, DeBrincat's numbers are all better than Bertuzzi's. Some real points to look at are Goals(87 vs. 49), +/- (-5 vs -19), and points (173 vs 119). The biggest difference I see though is that DeBrincat has scored 30 ppgs in 3 years and has 53 ppps. Bertuzzi is nowhere near as dangerous, only scoring 7 goals and adding in 22 points.

So, in your trade, your moving DeBrincat for an RFA (AKA, will need a new contract) who, at best is just a larger DeBrincat who doesn't score as much, and isn't a threat on the powerplay. Unless you find someone to take DeBrincat's spot on the PP, you just made the powerplay weaker, which means there's less incentive for other teams to worry about it. Furthermore, you've moved away a center, which are harder to come by than wings, in what is essentially a player for player swap, and we must now find another center to play 3rd line. I understand Strome is probably not the answer for 3rd line c, but throwing him away is stupid. He as value, and would be better served in a center for center swap.

Personally, if I were Steve Yzerman, and someone offered me this deal, I would take it in a second, laughing as I did.

So based on this info would it be possible or plausible for the Hawks to trade for OEL and a promising young prospect because they want to shed salary for say Maatta?
- BetweenTheDots

Didn't realize OEK is 29 already. He has 7 years left at 8.25M. Don't see the Hawks making that trade.

Didn't realize OEK is 29 already. He has 7 years left at 8.25M. Don't see the Hawks making that trade.
- boilermaker100

How about Viktor Hedman, Bolts are (frank)ed

How about Viktor Hedman, Bolts are (frank)ed
- BetweenTheDots

I would rather offersheet Sergachev, up to $4,300,000, he is definitely worth a second round pick.

i for one find it really odd the NHL didn't include some sort of buy out or cap relief. a flat cap is gonna be hell for alot of teams.
- SaskHawkFan

Doing it this way will squash player salaries.

I would rather offersheet Sergachev, up to $4,300,000, he is definitely worth a second round pick.
- LAHawk

That was going to be my next question? I agree

I would rather offersheet Sergachev, up to $4,300,000, he is definitely worth a second round pick.
- LAHawk

Agreed , and they are doing a nice job of protecting him from the Isle bullies who are targeting him...

they are doing NO OFFER sheets.

Agreed , and they are doing a nice job of protecting him from the Isle bullies who are targeting him...

they are doing NO OFFER sheets.
- wiz1901

Wait, is that a hand shake under the table? Or did they publicly say this