Perhaps not necessarily a trap, but definitely a simplified, defensively-oriented system. Oh, and all the players need to be committed to executing it - like NYI.
- Chief4Feathers

Problem is they are too slow on defense to execute anything like the Isle play. Their d-men can support the forwards in the offensive and neutral zones. The only way the Hawks can have manageable gaps is to have the forwards fall back and clog up the neutral zone.

I would hate it. I rather they get rid of some of the slow.

Would you retain half his salary too?... I wouldn’t. Maatta should at least warrant a clean salary trade - or perhaps some comparable salary coming back in a player contract.
- Chief4Feathers

I would buy him out before retaining salary. The whole league knows Maatta is slow. I would consider giving up 17 to get rid of him.

I would buy him out before retaining salary. The whole league knows Maatta is slow. I would consider giving up 17 to get rid of him.
- Elbows15

You really don’t like Maatta... Strome as a sweetener is a high price.

I liked him on a pairing with KK... and honestly DeHaan is the guy I’d be looking to move first. He’s a better dman than Maatta - but his shoulder is never going to allow him to play a majority of a season. But, if Seabrook shows you something that gives you the confidence that he can still play - I’d move DeHaan and Maatta and start initiating some of the rookies in the system (i.e. Mitchell, Beaudin, etc.)

I wish the Hawks had a Cal Clutterbuck.

I suppose Shaw is the closest example - but I think he might be done.

You really don’t like Maatta... Strome as a sweetener is a high price.

I liked him on a pairing with KK... and honestly DeHaan is the guy I’d be looking to move first. He’s a better dman than Maatta - but his shoulder is never going to allow him to play a majority of a season. But, if Seabrook shows you something that gives you the confidence that he can still play - I’d move DeHaan and Maatta and start initiating some of the rookies in the system (i.e. Mitchell, Beaudin, etc.)
- Chief4Feathers

Pick #17. The NHL is a speed league these days. Maatta doesn't have any speed.

I won't even get into how terrible Special K is fundamentally. But no good team will have Special K playing more than 12 minutes a night.


EDIT: I like your idea of Strome. Hawks become a whole bunch faster without those 2 in the line-up.

Pick #17. The NHL is a speed league these days. Maatta doesn't have any speed.

I won't even get into how terrible Special K is fundamentally. But no good team will have Special K playing more than 12 minutes a night.
- Elbows15

Oh crap, I’d rather give up Strome than our 1st this year.

NYI up 3-1 now. Hopefully they can hold this lead and keep this series interesting.

Khudobin isn't Russian.
- Elbows15

Born in the Soviet Union.

Born 7 May 1986 (age 34)
Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union

Born in the Soviet Union.

Born 7 May 1986 (age 34)
Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union
- scottak

So. Not Russian.

So. Not Russian.
- Elbows15

Putin is trying to fix that.

The heck with progressively. Get them in there ASAP. Bowman needs to be looking to get rid of Maatta, Special K and de Haan by any means necessary. Or have them visit the Khabby staircase.
- Elbows15

I wouldn't mind holding on the Koekkoek to be the the 6/7 guy. He skates very well and I thought he played pretty well late in the season and the playoffs.

Goodrow and Martin with 30 seconds left.

Is this trip necessary with another game in less than 48 hours?

NYI pulls out the win... and they have the coolest victory song.

Goodrow and Martin with 30 seconds left.

Is this trip necessary with another game in less than 48 hours?
- StLBravesFan

I’m not sure when it happened... but TBY are a bunch of d-bags.

Perhaps not necessarily a trap, but definitely a simplified, defensively-oriented system. Oh, and all the players need to be committed to executing it - like NYI.
- Chief4Feathers

That's the key. Doesn't really matter what the scheme is. If there is no commitment from every single player, then structure breaks down and the other team will exploit them every single time.

The heck with progressively. Get them in there ASAP. Bowman needs to be looking to get rid of Maatta, Special K and de Haan by any means necessary. Or have them visit the Khabby staircase.
- Elbows15

In reality, I think it will be progressive. But like you, just peel off that bandaid and start the youth movement with those who are ready.

There's enough of a good crop to roll some youngsters out in 2020-21 and more next season.

Would you retain half his salary too?... I wouldn’t. Maatta should at least warrant a clean salary trade - or perhaps some comparable salary coming back in a player contract.
- Chief4Feathers

I'm with you on that one. Maatta is more valuable than given credit for. Value for value if he's traded.

I'm with you on that one. Maatta is more valuable than given credit for. Value for value if he's traded.
- Theo Fox

The value is getting out from under his cap hit for the next two seasons. His value is about a 5th round pick at his cap hit.

I wouldn't mind holding on the Koekkoek to be the the 6/7 guy. He skates very well and I thought he played pretty well late in the season and the playoffs.
- EbonyRaptor

Enjoy mediocrity then. Cause Special K is the very definition of mediocre.

Enjoy mediocrity then. Cause Special K is the very definition of mediocre.
- Elbows15

What should a 6/7 dman be - if not mediocre?

The value is getting out from under his cap hit for the next two seasons. His value is about a 5th round pick at his cap hit.
- Elbows15

I don't see any team helping other teams with cap hits for a few years. That's just stupid. I'm sure the Yotes are pissed they took Hossa.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-reaching-nhl/c-318969676

This NHL.com article has great insights from Blackhawks development coach and NHL faceoff king Yanic Perreault on his son Jacob who is aiming ot be a 1st rounder in the draft.

The elder Perreault talks about it's much harder to be an NHL winger and what it takes to win draws.

Yanic on today's wingers:

"I think playing on the wing is getting harder than it used to be; you need to be good on the forecheck, good on the wall," Yanic said. "It's more encompassing than just watching your defenseman in the defensive zone."

Jacob on faceoffs:

"My dad showed me how to take draws, and I've been doing pretty well on face-offs in the OHL," he said. "The main goal on face-offs is to be ready, bend your knees and get it back.

"You need to be committed to getting better and wanting to win it more than the other guy."

https://www.nhl.com/news/jacob-perreault-following-yanic-perreaults-advice-on-path-of-reaching-nhl/c-318969676

This NHL.com article has great insights from Blackhawks development coach and NHL faceoff king Yanic Perreault on his son Jacob who is aiming ot be a 1st rounder in the draft.

The elder Perreault talks about it's much harder to be an NHL winger and what it takes to win draws.

Yanic on today's wingers:

"I think playing on the wing is getting harder than it used to be; you need to be good on the forecheck, good on the wall," Yanic said. "It's more encompassing than just watching your defenseman in the defensive zone. Jacob got better at those things on the wing and I think he looks more comfortable there. At the same time, I think it's important he's able to take draws, because the more you can do, the better off you are."

Jacob on faceoffs:

"My dad showed me how to take draws, and I've been doing pretty well on face-offs in the OHL," he said. "The main goal on face-offs is to be ready, bend your knees and get it back.

"You need to be committed to getting better and wanting to win it more than the other guy."
- Theo Fox

In the same article, the Flames director of amateur scouting Tod Button had this to say about the elder Perreault on hockey sense + skill helping to compensate for being a mediocre skater:

"Yanic was really smart with good hands, and I think his hockey sense and skill allowed him to play despite probably being an average or less-than-average skater.

If "Crow" wants to counter the 3.5 x 1 with a higher $$ 1 yr deal, or making it a 2 year 3.5 deal....I would opt for the 2nd option.

Although I would RATHER a 1 year at 3.5.....if Crawford played hard ball and I had to extend term OR $$$$....I would go with term

I would relent to a 2 year 3 or 3.5 deal for THREE big reasons.

1. We NEED to keep the CAP hit as low as possible....and every cent counts, if giving him an extra year lowers the CAP hit, I say we do it.

2. We have no reasonable option that is better than "Crow" at least for 2 years. So, not like he is holding anybody back. To the contrary....others can learn from him, and face it the schedule will be cramped, and "Crow" will only start 60% or so of the games anyway, so whoever partners with him will get plenty of starts.

3. IF Crawford is damaged goods, and can't make it two years...and he has to go on LTIR, we can clear up that CAP space and have a little "wiggle-room". So, not a BIG gamble to give him an extra year.

I would DEFINITELY opt for extra term over extra CAP hit.

Hawks have approx. 14 million cap tied up in Shaw , Smith , Seabrook that's unbelievable.
This has (among other things) doomed the Hawks for contention for a lottery pick for a few years. I know a lot of people get upset when Bowman gets knocked but man hey has made a lot of bad moves .
How many players can a team buy out ?
Those 3 are impossible to move plus I don't think Maata or DE Haan could be moved without retaining salaries.