What Chunk said to clarify: Habs let Kotkaniemi walk and take the picks from the Canes, then flip those picks for a center.
- Theo Fox

Strome. And throw in Pirri as a sweetener.

Glad to see them get Murph signed always liked his game . Great deal both ways .
- oldduffman

If I made posts of your quality I’d post them three times too.

The head scratcher is what is perceived as systematic and constant errors of abandoning the net front or having multiple defenders chase the puck carrier or a defender chasing the puck carrier all over the zone without a teammate cycling to cover the vacated region, etc.

Is that on the coaching staff or is that on the players for not executing? Both/and rather than either/or?
- Theo Fox

Both, imo. I would like to see JC publicly say that defensive production will affect roster decisions, playing time, and line assignments.

If I made posts of your quality I’d post them three times too.
- paulr

Ya hey new computer starting to feel like hockey season looking forward to a entertaining season .

Both, imo. I would like to see JC publicly say that defensive production will affect roster decisions, playing time, and line assignments.
- mohel

Publicly in what medium, newspapers, radio, TV, public address system at the UC or here on Hockey Buzz with all of us experts?

Ya hey new computer starting to feel like hockey season looking forward to a entertaining season .
- oldduffman

I don’t think it’s your computer. It seems to be happening allot more than normal lately.

Yeah I think the season will be entertaining. I think the Hawks have improved and if Toews can come back at close to how he played two seasons ago I think they have a good chance at a playoff spot. The only thing I’m concerned about is how or if the virus is going to mess up the season.

It is. But I wonder what the medium term implications are for Mitchell? That's a lot of dollars and ice time tied up in SJones and Murphy on the right side for 5+ years.
- LetsGoHawks

The implication for Mitchell is that he needs to buckle up and play well enough to take a job away from one of the long list of young D they have in the system. He is almost 23 and the NCAA games are in the rear view mirror. I can see him being a throw in sooner than later when Stan does a trade for minor leaguers.

If the coaches can get the players to execute their system. So far it is fair to question the system and the coaching.
- Ztra

How well do you expect college and AHL players to execute a system against NHL players just asking for a friend?

This constant but somewhat lesser lately system BS gripes my ass.

My only concern is his back issues are they solved or will it be a chronic problem going forward. 4.4 million for murphy um ok its what it is i guess.
- Scott1977

Who are you "Debbie Downer?"

I saw a trade proposal where the Habs send the compensatory 1st and 3rd to the Flames for Monahan. Or they could trade those picks to the Sharks for Hertl. Dvorak isn't worth a 1st. Maybe just the 3rd.

The Habs could still use more center depth with Danault also gone. Even though they re-signed Poehling, there have been rumors that they may shift him to wing.

Canadiens centers would then be Suzuki, Monahan (Hertl), Evans, and Paquette. The last two are 4Cs. Perhaps the Habs still try for Strome?

They may also need to free up salary by swapping out Kotkaniemi for Monahan or Hertl. If that's the case, then maybe the Hawks take Byron and LTIR him plus a more valuable asset like a 1st or 2nd or a top prospect like Guhle who they coveted at 17th before the Habs got him at 16th in 2020.
- Theo Fox

They're asking the same for Dvorak that they got for Kuemper. Why would they trade a first or their best D prospect with Byron when they can LTIR him themselves?

The implication for Mitchell is that he needs to buckle up and play well enough to take a job away from one of the long list of young D they have in the system. He is almost 23 and the NCAA games are in the rear view mirror. I can see him being a throw in sooner than later when Stan does a trade for minor leaguers.
- RickJ

He's had two development seasons (frank)ed up by covid. I doubt they just throw him in a deal any time soon.

He's had two development seasons (frank)ed up by covid. I doubt they just throw him in a deal any time soon.
- GPHawksfan

He's not the only player that has been affected by Covid. I don't know where the Hawks have him ranked on their D depth chart but doubt it would be higher than 8th. That's why I say he needs to bust his butt quick to either win an NHL job or show big improvement so he's top of the list for recall from Rockford..

He's had two development seasons (frank)ed up by covid. I doubt they just throw him in a deal any time soon.
- GPHawksfan

You're trying logic I've found that doesn't work for me.

He's not the only player that has been affected by Covid. I don't know where the Hawks have him ranked on their D depth chart but doubt it would be higher than 8th. That's why I say he needs to bust his butt quick to either win an NHL job or show big improvement so he's top of the list for recall from Rockford..
- RickJ

Whether he's the only player or not affected by Covid he's still been affected vs. experienced NHL players who were in the league well before Covid.

That depth chart is quite fluid after 3 and there are always injuries. In terms of NHL/AHL experience he's way down the list.

They're asking the same for Dvorak that they got for Kuemper. Why would they trade a first or their best D prospect with Byron when they can LTIR him themselves?
- GPHawksfan

Good question. I'm just reacting to what some Canadiens fans are proposing whether it's sensible or not. The Habs have the option to leverage Byron on LTIR however they want yet which includes keeping him within the organization.

Yet, it's not out of the question either that they dangle him in a trade. If that were the case, the trade partner should get something of value as part of the deal. You're right that the top D prospect may be too much.

New blog! A look at the Blackhawks contract extension with Connor Murphy to finish locking up a new veteran D nucleus along with Seth Jones and Jake McCabe as the team heads into a new era.

Plus, thoughts on who is up next for contract renewals.

https://bit.ly/3gLhXRd