Maybe Strome is middle 6 on a cup team? The rest are not. Perhaps "yet."
- rpeters01

You’re kidding right? Middle 6 is second or third line. To say that only Strome could play on the 2nd or 3rd line on a cup team is a little exaggerated.

Really? I'll pretend you said Heiskanen.
- BetweenTheDots

He would work too?

Thanks Theo for the recap. I’m also seeing game to game improvement from Dach, he’s quickly getting into game shape. Am I the only one who thinks that as they are currently playing, that Boqvist is now the Hawks best defenseman, has he surpassed Keith?
- Angotti

You bet, Angotti.

I'm with you on Boqvist. He has arguably been the best all-around defenseman ever since he shook off the lack of confidence before and shortly after COVID protocol.

Dynamic skater, wicked shot, precision passing, defensively conscience, competitive.

Offensively, he likely ends the year around 0.50 PPG or slightly less. Next year is when I feel he will take off with his goal and assist totals getting in the 0.67-0.75 PPG range.

I still think he will end up being the better all-around defenseman than Hughes and won't be too far off from Makar.

Not forgotten. The D then and now could use Dmen with a variety of skill sets. Boqvist could be better offensively than any of the Cup dmen. I could see Boqvist being like a right handed Doug Wilson.
- Ztra

If you remember, Quenneville didn’t trust Leddy because despite Leddy’s offensive upside his defense was not very good. Doug Wilson played solid defensively. Keith was a very good two way player and right now Boqvist is a young kid with offensive potential who is working on the defensive side of the game.

Defenseman John Merrill 925K, pending UFA goes from Det to Montreal for a 5th and minor leaguer Hayden Verbeek.

Defenseman John Merrill 925K, pending UFA goes from Det to Montreal for a 5th and minor leaguer Hayden Verbeek.
- boilermaker100

A couple things about this sort of trade

One point is that Merrill appears a depth move. No more than a third pair or depth for Montreal. Interesting that Mete reportedly placed on waivers but waivers can be pulled back? Eklund reported that if no one claims Vaatanen.on waivers, then he is traded, his cap hit would be less. That is on Sunday Eklund blog. Anyway, Montreal has a couple dmen whom played in World Juniors Tournament, including their rookie this season.

On Merrill too he could re-sign in Detroit where he could have a job. Nemeth same thing.

And my second point is that Janmark if dealt could re-sign in Chicago especially logical if Bowman has a couple forwards gone one way or another + Toews not back soon. Janmark would have a job in Chicago. After all, Kurashev is very iffy sort of faded as Wiz predicted and Reichel should not be rushed. Seems Borgstrom was rushed

Now we might see Janmark traded from Chicago at next season trade deadline if those two kids are looking good in the AHL. Of course we wait to see how e erything plays out. Then too whom do we select in round one Enyry Draft. Probably someone not ready. I could imagine Bowman goes after a Raaty as a value pick....his star has diminished from once considered one of several possibly choosen first overall.

I suggest there may be a wing to go first overall, not everyone's favorite big size offensive dman. And speaking of big size dman, Detroit's #1German.kid is held back due to his not yet playing well defensively

Just noticed N Patrick, former very early #1 by Philly, upon return from concussion has opted 4 3 for 7 pts in 39 gp. I will grant that Philly has a deep set if forwards

The Flyers have numbers on the blueline too. But they are unhappy with Ghist and Gus. Some newbie young guys pretty much undistinguished have filled on on their back end. The Flyers SOS is primarily due to their defense, correct. You have it that there is more to their plight this season?

I do not envision Patrick coming here for a dman. But I imagine Patrick is available for defensive help

A couple things about this sort of trade

One point is that Merrill appears a depth move. No more than a third pair or depth for Montreal. Interesting that Mete reportedly placed on waivers but waivers can be pulled back? Eklund reported that if no one claims Vaatanen.on waivers, then he is traded, his cap hit would be less. That is on Sunday Eklund blog. Anyway, Montreal has a couple dmen whom played in World Juniors Tournament, including their rookie this season.

On Merrill too he could re-sign in Detroit where he could have a job. Nemeth same thing.

And my second point is that Janmark if dealt could re-sign in Chicago especially logical if Bowman has a couple forwards gone one way or another + Toews not back soon. Janmark would have a job in Chicago. After all, Kurashev is very iffy sort of faded as Wiz predicted and Reichel should not be rushed. Seems Borgstrom was rushed

Now we might see Janmark traded from Chicago at next season trade deadline if those two kids are looking good in the AHL. Of course we wait to see how e erything plays out. Then too whom do we select in round one Enyry Draft. Probably someone not ready. I could imagine Bowman goes after a Raaty as a value pick....his star has diminished from once considered one of several possibly choosen first overall.

I suggest there may be a wing to go first overall, not everyone's favorite big size offensive dman. And speaking of big size dman, Detroit's #1German.kid is held back due to his not yet playing well defensively
- jhawk59

Idk, I think Kurashev still has upside. Has he hit a wall a bit sure? Tbf, I don't recall Wiz liking his ability to hang with the Big Club at all, but could be wrong about that.

Also read something in the Athletic that Janmark is most likely being dealt and Stan's hoping for a 2nd.

A league source believed the asking price for Janmark was a second-round pick. The Blackhawks hope to start a bidding war for him in the next few days, but the assumption is the Blackhawks will take whatever they can get in the end. Janmark isn’t likely part of the Blackhawks’ future and it makes sense to gain whatever assets they can for him.

A couple things about this sort of trade

One point is that Merrill appears a depth move. No more than a third pair or depth for Montreal.
- jhawk59

Agree the Merrill trade was a depth move, just what a Soderberg/Janmark trade would be. The returns would be comparable, a 4th or 5th and maybe a B/C prospect.

Idk, I think Kurashev still has upside. Has he hit a wall a bit sure? Tbf, I don't recall Wiz liking his ability to hang with the Big Club at all, but could be wrong about that.

Also read something in the Athletic that Janmark is most likely being dealt and Stan's hoping for a 2nd.

A league source believed the asking price for Janmark was a second-round pick. The Blackhawks hope to start a bidding war for him in the next few days, but the assumption is the Blackhawks will take whatever they can get in the end. Janmark isn’t likely part of the Blackhawks’ future and it makes sense to gain whatever assets they can for him.
- HawkintheD

I like Kurashev ability but his resolve sometimes I like or not too pleased - goes both ways. He had a bad injury from a vicous check in AHL last season btw if that factors into his resolve long term basis

I was taught that defense was the verb and defence the noun. But as usual, and to the chagrin (another cool word) of the Brits and English purists you Yanks have simplified the language. Now do something about knife and pneumonia will ya!
- paulr

When youse guys do something about the "F" sound in Lieutenant...

Agree the Merrill trade was a depth move, just what a Soderberg/Janmark trade would be. The returns would be comparable, a 4th or 5th and maybe a B/C prospect.
- boilermaker100

BOWMAN does not have room to add a B or C level prospect. It dilutes or weakens the higher draft choice we would rather gain as renumeration

If you remember, Quenneville didn’t trust Leddy because despite Leddy’s offensive upside his defense was not very good. Doug Wilson played solid defensively. Keith was a very good two way player and right now Boqvist is a young kid with offensive potential who is working on the defensive side of the game.
- paulr

Eh, Leddy averaged pretty solid minutes per night and not as terrible as defending as most would say. He did a lot to cover for Rozy and play basically two positions at once.

Not a lot of room behind Keith, Seabs, Hammer and Oduya who were all in their prime.

Certainly not a world beater or a guy you'd lean on for 30 mins but fine for a 20 minute \ night above average defender with decent feet.

Keith was a maniac when he came into the league and I don't know that "good" would be a word used to describe him. A lot of raw potential but it took some time for him to figure out the NHL.

Idk, I think Kurashev still has upside. Has he hit a wall a bit sure? Tbf, I don't recall Wiz liking his ability to hang with the Big Club at all, but could be wrong about that.
- HawkintheD

I'd have to agree on Kurashev. He has great upside still. He's a rookie thrust into the big leagues due to extenuating circumstances, i.e. Toews, Dach, and Nylander all on LTIR.

Had those players been healthy, Kurashev would have been developing in Rockford with a likelihood of being the first recall.

Like every other rookie that has played this season, Kurashev is hitting a wall. That's to be expected. When he's been playing well, he has shown ability to play middle 6. At least 3rd line with tantalizing skill to play top lines if needed.

He'll be stronger next season as will the other rookies. Not worried at all.

According to Powers and Lazerus, Zadorov has been offered $3.5M (not sure about years) but he wants $4.0M. He's currently making $3.2M which is the minimum Chicago can offer.

BOWMAN does not have room to add a B or C level prospect. It dilutes or weakens the higher draft choice we would rather gain as renumeration
- jhawk59

Sometimes a team wants to trade back a nobody to even out the contracts they have on hand

Eh, Leddy averaged pretty solid minutes per night and not as terrible as defending as most would say. He did a lot to cover for Rozy and play basically two positions at once.

Not a lot of room behind Keith, Seabs, Hammer and Oduya who were all in their prime.

Certainly not a world beater or a guy you'd lean on for 30 mins but fine for a 20 minute \ night above average defender with decent feet.

Keith was a maniac when he came into the league and I don't know that "good" would be a word used to describe him. A lot of raw potential but it took some time for him to figure out the NHL.
- fattybeef

Pretty sure most wouldn't say that. I know I wouldn't. Thought Rozy was a really good pickup in '13 for nothing.

According to Powers and Lazerus, Zadorov has been offered $3.5M (not sure about years) but he wants $4.0M. He's currently making $3.2M which is the minimum Chicago can offer.
- Theo Fox

Wanting 4 million a year shows not only is he bad at hockey but he is also delusional.

Sometimes a team wants to trade back a nobody to even out the contracts they have on hand
- boilermaker100

I am confidant that Bowman can dump a couple AHL contracts this summer. I agree with Theo too that McLaughlin would be a worthwhile sign (to two way contract).

Pretty sure most wouldn't say that. I know I wouldn't. Thought Rozy was a really good pickup in '13 for nothing.
- HawkintheD

I would never say that either. I never thought of Leddy as reliable. I do remember his skating into nowhere and turning over the puck all the time.

Wanting 4 million a year shows not only is he bad at hockey but he is also delusional.
- NamedSources

I asked yesterday, is it worth retaining Zadorov as his presence reduces how often the opposition runs our young dmen

Some feel the opponent still will run our players. True, but not all the time as Zadorov leaves a few sore bodies with his hits

Putting this in context....is it worth offering $3.5 or $3.75 with a small bonus clause for performance (we can joke, it is for hits and or fights but reality it is gp). What you say.....am I over reacting to letting young dmen learn their craft and how to better watch their own safety through experience 1-2 years with Zadorov around. Maybe after one but more likely two seasons either Phillips or Vlasic could replace Zadorov as a physical presence?

Withholding appraisal on Stillman until we see him for a good stretch of games

I asked yesterday, is it worth retaining Zadorov as his presence reduces how often the opposition runs our young dmen

Some feel the opponent still will run our players. True, but not all the time as Zadorov leaves a few sore bodies with his hits

Putting this in context....is it worth offering $3.5 or $3.75 with a small bonus clause for performance (we can joke, it is for hits and or fights but reality it is gp). What you say.....am I over reacting to letting young dmen learn their craft and how to better watch their own safety through experience 1-2 years with Zadorov around. Maybe after one but more likely two seasons either Phillips or Vlasic could replace Zadorov as a physical presence?

Withholding appraisal on Stillman until we see him for a good stretch of games
- jhawk59

You can find a veteran who wants the same amount of money who is better at hockey who does the same thing. He is a liability. At least once per game (it seems that way) his play is responsible for the puck hitting the back of the net.

According to Powers and Lazerus, Zadorov has been offered $3.5M (not sure about years) but he wants $4.0M. He's currently making $3.2M which is the minimum Chicago can offer.
- Theo Fox

I wonder why/how this contract negotiation was leaked when the Strome talks were kept hush hush. Does one side or the other have a reason to let it out?

You’re kidding right? Middle 6 is second or third line. To say that only Strome could play on the 2nd or 3rd line on a cup team is a little exaggerated.

- Ztra

Some would not even made '10, '13, '15 cup teams.

I hope he does not obsess in being Keith II. He can learn a lot from Keith on defense and transition. But Boqvist has a ton more offensive skills than Keith ever had. I hope he watches film of Josi or Kilngberg. They are like a 4th forward.
- Ztra

622 points in 1180 games. I (frank)ing hope Boqvist can come close to those numbers.