Justin Lowe: The Season Winds Down There are 4 games left and then the Blackhawks players, management and coaches can get back to work.

For the players, there will be some downtime. For the GM, Scouts and other executives, they will be focused on the busy summer with the entry draft and free agency. For the young coaching staff, they will surely be watching a lot of IceHogs hockey and NHL playoff hockey as they search for improvement in their teaching ways.

Thx so much for your write ups this season Justin!! Great work.
Unlike the Hawks, I have made it all the way to the HockeyBuzz fantasy finals!!
Looking at starting Crawford as one of my two goalies.
Do you think....even once mathematically out...Crawford gets 3 of 4 starts?
I banking on that, but maybe i should look elsewhere...

Looking forward to the offseason blogs from you. Quick thoughts: No Perlini or Hayden for next year. Do not sign Gus to long term contract--need cap space for future Cat and Strome signings, 1-2 veteran D, and much more depth on 3rd and 4th lines. As for goalie, that could become the toughest call/aspect to deal with going forward.

Looking forward to the offseason blogs from you. Quick thoughts: No Perlini or Hayden for next year. Do not sign Gus to long term contract--need cap space for future Cat and Strome signings, 1-2 veteran D, and much more depth on 3rd and 4th lines. As for goalie, that could become the toughest call/aspect to deal with going forward.
- RaleighHawk

Why do you not think they should sign Perlini and Hayden to lower cost bridge contracts?

Re: Schmaltz- He got the contract he was projected to get and thats great for him. But i do feel Strome is a better fit (bigger frame, and buddy buddy with DCat). so if Strome gets the same extension as Schmaltz, then all things equal, i'd call that a win for the Hawks. Some times trades do work for both side, and this seems to be one of those.

Re: Gus- I wouldnt extend him. He's a good soldier. He'd getting better. but you can't pay him 5+M. Its not a knock on him. Its the fact we have a set of DMen coming the ranks (i.e.- cheap contracts) and you have to put that $ to new DCat and Strome contracts and a FA. Gus will be here next year and thats fine. but its a business and in 20-21, you expect some of Boqvist, Hillman, Mitchell, Beaudin to be ready with Keith, Seabs Joki and Murphy all still in tow. Gus is just simply odd man out to me. Id like to keep him for 3M... but he'll get more than that, so sorry bud... best of luck. We always want to pay our good soldiers (See B. Bickell). Sometimes, you just have to thank them for the service and get the next soldier to go to war for you.

Why do you not think they should sign Perlini and Hayden to lower cost bridge contracts?
- paulr

Hayden is already signed for $750K for next season. As for Perlini sign him for two years at a max of $1.1M AAV. He'll have some time to prove himself and potentially earn a bigger contract. If he plays a whole season like he did a few weeks ago, the Hawks will be in a good position for a couple of years.

Hayden is already signed for $750K for next season. As for Perlini sign him for two years at a max of $1.1M AAV. He'll have some time to prove himself and potentially earn a bigger contract. If he plays a whole season like he did a few weeks ago, the Hawks will be in a good position for a couple of years.
- boilermaker100

Agreed on Perlini. He's big, fast and appesrs to have some skill.

Sign him for a 1-2 years and see what you got. Colliton was brought on as he's a great communicator... let's see if he can motivate Perlini and make something put of him.

Thx so much for your write ups this season Justin!! Great work.
Unlike the Hawks, I have made it all the way to the HockeyBuzz fantasy finals!!
Looking at starting Crawford as one of my two goalies.
Do you think....even once mathematically out...Crawford gets 3 of 4 starts?
I banking on that, but maybe i should look elsewhere...
- hawk35

Eeek... I don't know pal. If the Hawks are out, I can see Crow and Ward splitting. Heck I could even see Delia getting a spot start.

Justin Lowe: The Season Winds Down
There are 4 games left and then the Blackhawks players, management and coaches can get back to work.

For the players, there will be some downtime. For the GM, Scouts and other executives, they will be focused on the busy summer with the entry draft and free agency. For the young coaching staff, they will surely be watching a lot of IceHogs hockey and NHL playoff hockey as they search for improvement in their teaching ways.
- Justin Lowe

Great piece, and I always appreciate your thoughts and synopses.

I have no clue what they should do with Magic Gus. That money will be too much. I don't mind it now, but if this goal scoring (which I really like) continues, he will need to get paid.

It's good to have 3 great goaltender problem, but I think we have to wait until camp for Forsberg and Delia "duke it out" for the back-up spot. They both have their inconsistencies, and need to prove they can shake it off.

I don't know why Hayden hasn't been playing, it's not like he's hurting our playoff chances. I hope he draws in for the injured Kampf. I like Kampf a lot more, but hope it happens.

Always good to hear about the hogs, especially when it comes to the defense. I'm hoping Mitchell signs soon.

Gus Forsling is the unsigned DMan not Dahlstrom. Dahlström was signed last week for 2yrs at 0.85M

The Hawks find themselves in quite a quandary regarding their future defense corps. They obviously can't bring back the same players on their back line next season.

If they add a veteran top 4 D, next year they will have Mr. X, Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Gus, Joki and one or two of Dahlstrom, Forsling, Koekkoek.

Then what to do next year at this time with the prospects ready to come up in 20-21. Assume, as Justin writes, that Beaudin and Mitchell are ready at that time.
Is Gus moved at next year's TDL to make room for one of them? I can see that happening if the Hawks are not in the playoff chase and they believe one of the prospects can replace his offensive capability. Plus Gus could gather a fair return to fill another hole. (Perhaps a young stud goalie who can takeover for Cro after his contract expires at the end of next year.) Let someone else pay Gus the big bucks.
20-21 D could be X, Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Joki, Beaudin, Mitchell with Seabs being the 7th man.

Exposing Murphy to the expansion draft after the 20-21 season will open up a slot for another prospect. Mr. X's contract may be up by that time, so another slot could be open. Hawks still have to deal with the fact they still have a declining Keith and Seabrook around unless they waive their NMC's along the years.


Edit- regarding expansion draft, Keith and Seabrook protected because of their NMC's along with Joki. Maybe X is exposed along with Murphy. Either way one slot will be open.

Agreed on Perlini. He's big, fast and appesrs to have some skill.

Sign him for a 1-2 years and see what you got. Colliton was brought on as he's a great communicator... let's see if he can motivate Perlini and make something put of him.
- Justin Lowe

Against the Leafs Perlini was the best player on the ice. Then two games later he's back to the guy who seemed disinterested and lazy. There has to be some underlying reason for that and if as you say, Colliton is a good communicator, one of his tasks is to figure Perlini out to see if he can get Perlini to play as he's proved he can every game. The Hawks are not in a position to discard young talent, at least until it's certain the guy in incapable of playing in the NHL.

Why do you not think they should sign Perlini and Hayden to lower cost bridge contracts?
- paulr

Mostly because it seems as if JC wants no part of them and cannot incorporate them into his lineups. Somewhat like Q doing the same in the past certain players.

Eeek... I don't know pal. If the Hawks are out, I can see Crow and Ward splitting. Heck I could even see Delia getting a spot start.
- Justin Lowe

That is my fear Justin. Maybe i lean toward Oilers Kostinen. He almost for sure should play 3 of Oilers last 4. May not win....but may be best bet for saves over the week.

Re: Schmaltz- He got the contract he was projected to get and thats great for him. But i do feel Strome is a better fit (bigger frame, and buddy buddy with DCat). so if Strome gets the same extension as Schmaltz, then all things equal, i'd call that a win for the Hawks. Some times trades do work for both side, and this seems to be one of those.

Re: Gus- I wouldnt extend him. He's a good soldier. He'd getting better. but you can't pay him 5+M. Its not a knock on him. Its the fact we have a set of DMen coming the ranks (i.e.- cheap contracts) and you have to put that $ to new DCat and Strome contracts and a FA. Gus will be here next year and thats fine. but its a business and in 20-21, you expect some of Boqvist, Hillman, Mitchell, Beaudin to be ready with Keith, Seabs Joki and Murphy all still in tow. Gus is just simply odd man out to me. Id like to keep him for 3M... but he'll get more than that, so sorry bud... best of luck. We always want to pay our good soldiers (See B. Bickell). Sometimes, you just have to thank them for the service and get the next soldier to go to war for you.
- gnosox1986

Exactly

Way too go!!! Win one for the team and I would look at Carey Price in goal he will be playing for sure.

Agreed on Perlini. He's big, fast and appesrs to have some skill.

Sign him for a 1-2 years and see what you got. Colliton was brought on as he's a great communicator... let's see if he can motivate Perlini and make something put of him.
- Justin Lowe

He's also shown that he CAN be / do what he needs to for several games in a row - yes, he reverted - but if he can get back the performance (not just the scoring) from those games, and consistently keep it - he'll be a steal.

Only 23 going into next season with almost no AHL development time.

Fun year. At least it was interesting and there have been a lot of good discussions.

I think if Gus is in the line up that makes Bovquist a bit superfluous so may as well give him another year of maturation.

I think Strome will be the better overall player but that isn't an egregious contract Schmaltz got. About par for a 50-60 point player that may be able to play center someday.

I also said during that draft Strome is the kind of guy that will be able to relieve Toews of some pressure and help extend his career. I think you see some solid steps forward from the big guy the next two years.

>>Wow, what to do with Erik Gustafsson? I have had so many feelings about him this season with the strongest geared towards his lack of caring towards the defensive side of his game. However, I will say that he's had better moments on the defensive side in the last 10 games; he's a +7, has been more physical (had 8 hits on March 23rd vs. COL) and with his 17th goal of the season vs. LA, I'm torn on his future with Chicago.<<

Lets be honest he is the biggest surprise "who woulda thunk it" player of the year...

Many here were lamenting his 2 year 2.4 mildo deal as "dumb" and a waste...
now we are talking 5 or 6 mildo per for the 2021-22 season...

my how things change...almost a point/gm dman with almost 20 goals...HOLY poop!
and yes he has improved alot defensively the last month: fewer careless giveaways, smarter on his pinches, very good gap control and some excellent stick defense...

Hayden is already signed for $750K for next season. As for Perlini sign him for two years at a max of $1.1M AAV. He'll have some time to prove himself and potentially earn a bigger contract. If he plays a whole season like he did a few weeks ago, the Hawks will be in a good position for a couple of years.
- boilermaker100

hayden been the forgotten bottom six guy...he was given alot of opportunity to find his role....we have learned he is not a special teams guy, not a net presence guy, avg skater, limited offensive skill, but does have a physical aspect to his game...

he is expendable...i suspect he is moved...maybe a package deal; he doesn't fut what the hawks desperately need

From the last blog:

In response to Breadman's question, not sure exactly what the options are now that Olofsson was released from his ATO. The Hawks still own his rights to do whatever they want with it until it expires so guessing he could still get signed to an NHL or AHL deal.

In response to jhawk's question, not sure if Carlsson was injured or sick. He played the entire game on Saturday night and was on the D pair that ended that game so he may have been just a healthy scratch in last night's game.

Krys played much better in his 2nd and 3rd games. Simple, smart plays. Jokiharju was more engaged in the past two games as well. Both were the QBs on the PP: Krys on the 1st unit and Jokiharju on the 2nd unit.

I was really impressed by the debuts of Hagel and R Johnson. Hagel generates a lot of scoring chances. Seemed like at least one per shift. He's relentless on the forecheck and the puck always seems to find him.

Johnson plays physical and throws his body at every chance he can get but plays a smart defensive game. Very good on faceoffs, too.

Way too go!!! Win one for the team and I would look at Carey Price in goal he will be playing for sure.
- Sn1362

Price only has 3....and if out by the weekend may sit the 3rd.
And his salary awful.
Kostinen is only couple million. I playing him, and allows me to get 4 games of Patty Kane in there.
Pretty sure thats the way i going

Price only has 3....and if out by the weekend may sit the 3rd.
And his salary awful.
Kostinen is only couple million. I playing him, and allows me to get 4 games of Patty Kane in there.
Pretty sure thats the way i going
- hawk35

Oh...and I hate Habs. So if paying up for a goalie, would lean Bobrovsky over Price.
But thx... i see your logic...

hayden been the forgotten bottom six guy...he was given alot of opportunity to find his role....we have learned he is not a special teams guy, not a net presence guy, avg skater, limited offensive skill, but does have a physical aspect to his game...

he is expendable...i suspect he is moved...maybe a package deal; he doesn't fut what the hawks desperately need
- bogiedoc

I agree he hasn't panned out yet and is expendable. I just pointed out that he is signed for next year. He can be a throw in as part of a trade package this summer.