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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: It's Not All Doom and Gloom
Author Message
Rota's Rooter
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2017

Mar 9 @ 12:44 PM ET
What happens now when Rutta gets injured....and he will get injured.
- DarthKane

Call up Franson for "one last shift".
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 9 @ 12:44 PM ET
Nobody's called him otherworldly... even he himself says it's been a process for him. And he's 4th among forwards in ice time, though most of the top 6 plays around the same amount of minutes. But I doubt anyone is going to convince you of much so I'm not going to bother.

Enjoy the reality where the soft, weak, Teravainen on the very bad hurricanes in the very bad eastern conference is outproducing the Ultimate Captain in Jonathan Toews, who plays 3 minutes more per night on average.

- BINGO!


TT is about as relevant a player as Carolina is a team.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Mar 9 @ 12:49 PM ET
My point was that the Hawks have been their own worst enemies losing to teams like Carolina that they should beat. This occurs because of mind-numbingly stupid play. This dovetails with the comments of True Grit who points out that it is Q’s responsibility to ensure the Hawks don’t play with mind-numbing stupidity. Watching the Hawks self-destruct in so many games is awful - it’s embarrassing.
- Z3Hawk


And my point is that the Chicago Blackhawks are not as talented as you seem to think they are, because they're right around where they deserve to be.

You realize that right now the Hawks have about 6 guys on the team that should probably be in the AHL, right? Like half of the defense is made up of borderline #6 defensemen...
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Mar 9 @ 12:50 PM ET
I watched Rutta last night and saw a player still learning, still trying to show he should even be in the NHL - and we just gave him $2.25M. Based on what? Well not team hierarchy - there is absolutely nothing to suggest he is twice as valuable as Gustafsson who plays higher in the pairings - and I thought Gus was overpaid with his contract. It is not just overpaying large contracts that fill a Cap but overpaying small contracts too. StanBo’s job is to sign these players for as little as he can. If Gus and Rutta weren’t on the Hawks they’d be easily replaceable. Prior to a short time ago Gus was in Rockford. Rutta actually was signed while injured for a period of time during which he wasn’t missed at all.
- Z3Hawk


Honestly, I thought Rutta was decent last night. He made some good defensive plays early in the game and jumped into the cycle a few times. He wasn't an all-star (but isn't paid like one either) and realistically the guy is just getting back into it with his first game in a couple weeks and only his 3rd game in the last month because of injury. Not to mention his first season in North America.

Consider some of the following. He is scoring at a pace similar to Duncan Keith at 0.43 points per game. (Not just gimmie points, but Rutta has jumped in to the play and made things happen at times and his 6 goals pace the Hawks blueline)

He isn't as green as some of the other options the Hawks have, but is adjusting to NA hockey.

He can comfortable play 20 minutes a game including penalty killing, which is an asset.

I think the guy had a great start to the season, but had issues as it wore on, especially when paired with a youngster like Forsling. He struggled at times with speedy wingers and does occasionally take a holding/hooking call as a result. The coaching staff have stated many times how they like many of the things he does on the ice.

I look at this new contract and it is a small risk, but it is only a 1 year deal. What does it normally cost for a right handed Dman who can play 20 minutes a night and put up 30-40 points over 82 games? It wouldn't be a big stretch to see Rutta come back better next season after settling into North America and the NHL. His 2.3 million contract could be a bargain.

He might not work out, but he does look like an NHL player. I think most of the issue is that the Hawks went from being one of the oldest to one of the youngest NHL teams. There was huge turnover and most of the vets had a down season. Lots of adjustment and learning going on this season. The one and only guy playing to his contract Crawford suffered a serious injury. So many things can go better next year.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Mar 9 @ 12:54 PM ET
TT is about as relevant a player as Carolina is a team.
- Z3Hawk


Well he'd be your second leading scorer and the Canes have 5 more points than Chicago in the same # of games so what does that make the Blackhawks?
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Mar 9 @ 12:56 PM ET
Well he'd be your second leading scorer and the Canes have 5 more points than Chicago in the same # of games so what does that make the Blackhawks?
- BINGO!


A sucky team
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Mar 9 @ 12:59 PM ET
And my point is that the Chicago Blackhawks are not as talented as you seem to think they are, because they're right around where they deserve to be.

You realize that right now the Hawks have about 6 guys on the team that should probably be in the AHL, right? Like half of the defense is made up of borderline #6 defensemen...

- BINGO!


with all due respect...talent isn't the issue. They have plenty of talent on the roster, but the issue is more about chemistry, experience and willingness to battle. Guys accepting and playing their roles and gelling together. The Hawks need to stabilize the lineup a bit and get some chemistry going but they also have nothing to play for at this point in the season. Many of the core were phoning it in last night. If the game last night mattered, I have no doubt that the Hawks could have given Carolina a steep challenge. Guys like Kane/Toews/Saad/AA were dragging around because the game didn't matter.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Mar 9 @ 1:02 PM ET
with all due respect...talent isn't the issue. They have plenty of talent on the roster, but the issue is more about chemistry, experience and willingness to battle. Guys accepting and playing their roles and gelling together. The Hawks need to stabilize the lineup a bit and get some chemistry going but they also have nothing to play for at this point in the season. Many of the core were phoning it in last night. If the game last night mattered, I have no doubt that the Hawks could have given Carolina a steep challenge. Guys like Kane/Toews/Saad/AA were dragging around because the game didn't matter.
- breadbag


I certainly hope so, because it's not like the Canes were playing well either. Justin Williams called them out on tv during the second intermission. Both teams were playing like poop.
scott.jackson
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Georgian Bluffs, ON
Joined: 06.24.2014

Mar 9 @ 1:04 PM ET
Call up Franson for "one last shift".
- Rota's Rooter

z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Mar 9 @ 1:08 PM ET
Did you all see the comment from Q about his constant line shuffling, especially the D? He went on to say that he thinks that caused issues with consistency this year. It was on Bleacher Report. Just wow Q. Stuff like that hints at him trying to say the right things to keep his job for next year. Funny how you see that now as you stand in the middle of your sinking ship with what, 14 games left.





And I'm even more perplexed with the Rutta signing. That (and the Gus signing) could have waited.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Mar 9 @ 1:08 PM ET
No Carolina is not a competitive team - they are not even a play-off team in the weak East. Carolina had just been mauled by Minnesota 6-2. That the Hawks cannot beat Carolina shows how far the Hawks have fallen, how truly unprofessional the Hawks have become. The Hawks would beat Minnesota who mauled Carolina, let alone Carolina.
- Z3Hawk


Carolina has their faults, but they have a very strong D. They would be a more competitive team with an average goalie and some decent forwards. I would definitely call them a competitive team, and I disagree that the East is overall 'weak'.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Mar 9 @ 1:12 PM ET
Honestly, I thought Rutta was decent last night. He made some good defensive plays early in the game and jumped into the cycle a few times. He wasn't an all-star (but isn't paid like one either) and realistically the guy is just getting back into it with his first game in a couple weeks and only his 3rd game in the last month because of injury. Not to mention his first season in North America.

Consider some of the following. He is scoring at a pace similar to Duncan Keith at 0.43 points per game. (Not just gimmie points, but Rutta has jumped in to the play and made things happen at times and his 6 goals pace the Hawks blueline)

He isn't as green as some of the other options the Hawks have, but is adjusting to NA hockey.

He can comfortable play 20 minutes a game including penalty killing, which is an asset.

I think the guy had a great start to the season, but had issues as it wore on, especially when paired with a youngster like Forsling. He struggled at times with speedy wingers and does occasionally take a holding/hooking call as a result. The coaching staff have stated many times how they like many of the things he does on the ice.

I look at this new contract and it is a small risk, but it is only a 1 year deal. What does it normally cost for a right handed Dman who can play 20 minutes a night and put up 30-40 points over 82 games? It wouldn't be a big stretch to see Rutta come back better next season after settling into North America and the NHL. His 2.3 million contract could be a bargain.

He might not work out, but he does look like an NHL player. I think most of the issue is that the Hawks went from being one of the oldest to one of the youngest NHL teams. There was huge turnover and most of the vets had a down season. Lots of adjustment and learning going on this season. The one and only guy playing to his contract Crawford suffered a serious injury. So many things can go better next year.

- breadbag


These are all good points, I think my biggest concern was more with handing a higher AAV contract to a guy who hasn't stood out, eating into the cap space this offseason.

I'm hoping he can become a solid 4-5 defenseman, but I'm still bearish on his ability to clear out traffic and get the puck out.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Mar 9 @ 1:19 PM ET
These are all good points, I think my biggest concern was more with handing a higher AAV contract to a guy who hasn't stood out, eating into the cap space this offseason.

I'm hoping he can become a solid 4-5 defenseman, but I'm still bearish on his ability to clear out traffic and get the puck out.

- ObeseOprah


He will never been the physical type, but he has the size to at least be difficult to push around. I think Rutta, like many of the players this season, have been driving the coaches crazy with inconsistent play.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 9 @ 1:22 PM ET
He will never been the physical type, but he has the size to at least be difficult to push around. I think Rutta, like many of the players this season, have been driving the coaches crazy with inconsistent play.
- breadbag


Rutta is a plus skater and is not small, but definitely not a physical player or overly strong for his height. 6'3" and barely 200lbs is pretty skinny and it shows. However, he has good offensive instints and definitely a better overall defender than Gustafson. If Stan had ONLY signed Rutta for that contract, I wouldn't be terribly upset. I just don't see a place for Gustafson in the lineup next year and I'm not a Salary Cap expert, but I'm pretty sure there will be like $300K holdover on the Hawks Cap if he is sent down??

Keith- Murphy
Forsling-Seabrook
Jokiharju or UFA signing-Rutta
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Mar 9 @ 1:25 PM ET
Rutta is a plus skater and is not small, but definitely not a physical player or overly strong for his height. 6'3" and barely 200lbs is pretty skinny and it shows. However, he has good offensive instints and definitely a better overall defender than Gustafson. If Stan had ONLY signed Rutta for that contract, I wouldn't be terribly upset. I just don't see a place for Gustafson in the lineup next year and I'm not a Salary Cap expert, but I'm pretty sure there will be like $300K holdover on the Hawks Cap if he is sent down??

Keith- Murphy
Forsling-Seabrook
Jokiharju or UFA signing-Rutta

- EnzoD


I guess they would be on the hook for about 175K. These are the amounts you can bury by year in the CBA.

2014-15: $550,000 + $375,000 = $925,000
2015-16: $575,000 + $375,000 = $950,000
2016-17: $575,000 + $375,000 = $950,000
2017-18: $650,000 + $375,000 = $1,025,000
2018-19: $650,000 + $375,000 = $1,025,000
2019-20: $700,000 + $375,000 = $1,075,000
2020-21: $700,000 + $375,000 = $1,075,000
2021-22: $750,000 + $375,000 = $1,125,000
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Mar 9 @ 1:34 PM ET
Wouldn't it be funny if the future considerations for Kruger was swapping picks in a certain round of this draft with Vegas. I am sure at the time of the trade it was thought that Vegas would have a better pick than the Hawks.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Mar 9 @ 1:48 PM ET
Wouldn't it be funny if the future considerations for Kruger was swapping picks in a certain round of this draft with Vegas. I am sure at the time of the trade it was thought that Vegas would have a better pick than the Hawks.
- -Doh-


George: Hey Stan, I believe we owe you a tiny something for the Kruger deal

Stan: Can I have Karlsson?

George: No, but I do have a great Brandon Pirri

Stan: Wow, no foolin?

George: If I had a Morin, I'd give him to you, but I only have a Pirri

Stan: No bamboozle?

George: Nope

Stan: Deal. Pirri for Schmaltz. I'm cost certain about this trade.
Popsghostly
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheaton, IL
Joined: 08.11.2017

Mar 9 @ 2:07 PM ET
And my point is that the Chicago Blackhawks are not as talented as you seem to think they are, because they're right around where they deserve to be.

You realize that right now the Hawks have about 6 guys on the team that should probably be in the AHL, right? Like half of the defense is made up of borderline #6 defensemen...

- BINGO!


I agree with this.

The D is the worst...

We lost Hammer, Campbell, TVR and Oduya from last year's D. Oesterle is a great 5-6, Guff and Dahlstrom are 6-7, Rutta is a 5-6 who we paid 2.25 M for!?, and right now Seabrook and Murphy are playing like 4-5, closer to 5. Heck Keith is only playing as good as a 3.

Jurco should be in the AHL. Sharp is done. Not enough seen from him yet, but think Highmore should be in the AHL. Vinnie is a really good bottom 6 scorer. Duclair so far has been a big disappointment.

So far Forsberg looks like AHL material and Berube is AHL material...

They are icing a young, unproven team with 5 veterans.
matt_ahrens
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: San Carlos, CA
Joined: 06.30.2014

Mar 9 @ 2:11 PM ET
I can watch that scene 100 times and still get a tear in the eye...
- riozzo


just watched, just got another tear in the eye - 38 years later, from a movie! the second movie!!
matt_ahrens
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: San Carlos, CA
Joined: 06.30.2014

Mar 9 @ 2:14 PM ET
IMO Stan chronically overpays in order to avoid as many competitive situations as possible where he would be at a powerful disadvantage due to having to try to face off with smarter more accomplished GM's
- Savoy


totally true.
what has been his best signing? how long ago was that?
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Mar 9 @ 2:31 PM ET

*NEW* Blog up: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=91576
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Mar 9 @ 2:33 PM ET
I agree with this.

The D is the worst...

We lost Hammer, Campbell, TVR and Oduya from last year's D. Oesterle is a great 5-6, Guff and Dahlstrom are 6-7, Rutta is a 5-6 who we paid 2.25 M for!?, and right now Seabrook and Murphy are playing like 4-5, closer to 5. Heck Keith is only playing as good as a 3.

Jurco should be in the AHL. Sharp is done. Not enough seen from him yet, but think Highmore should be in the AHL. Vinnie is a really good bottom 6 scorer. Duclair so far has been a big disappointment.

So far Forsberg looks like AHL material and Berube is AHL material...

They are icing a young, unproven team with 5 veterans.

- Popsghostly


Totally agree on Jurco and Sharp, jury is still out on Highmore although he looks to be nothing more than a bottom forward at best. Vinnie is good for our expectations (zero) but shouldn't be counted on to consistently score. Duclair has moments of 'wow' but is mostly invisible.

This is what a totally hamstrung cap-disaster team looks like. A couple of huge salaries coupled with replacement level talent for the rest of the team.

There's over $10M in players who can't play (Hossa+Crawford), $16M in overpaid players (Seabrook+Toews), and $8M in underperforming deals (Anisimov+Murphy).

Hawks need to dump Hossa's contract if he's not coming back next year, and evaluate if they think Anisimov and Murphy are worth their deals or worth more as trade bait before their stock sinks lower. Seabrook and Toews are unmoveable contracts.
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Mar 9 @ 3:29 PM ET
I think this is the crux of the Hawks' perennial cap problems, Stan overpays EVERYBODY, be it star or role player. Overpaying AAV might be justified if it came with term length or movement clause concessions, but he always seems to hit the trifecta.

The old saw about the politician referring to budget woes and proclaiming "a million here, a million there, and soon you're talking about real money" are words StanBo never seems to take to heart. Especially ironic, given his ascension to GM was in large measure due to his predecessor's perceived problems managing the cap.

- Davewn



He was his predecessors capologist
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Mar 9 @ 3:34 PM ET
Wouldn't it be funny if the future considerations for Kruger was swapping picks in a certain round of this draft with Vegas. I am sure at the time of the trade it was thought that Vegas would have a better pick than the Hawks.
- -Doh-[/quote
]


Ya, hadn't thought of that.
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