This is possible.

I will touch on this a little more in an upcoming blog, but wanted to say one thing; all of this "Ulf doesn't know how to coach" narrative isn't completely fair.....
- Justin Lowe

What's interesting is Yawney upping in Edmonton. Keith credits him for his teaching to use a stick. But then, Yawney probably wasn't Q's style of D. Still, I always felt he did well with the team when coaching the Norfolk team.

This is possible.

I will touch on this a little more in an upcoming blog, but wanted to say one thing; all of this "Ulf doesn't know how to coach" narrative isn't completely fair.

I am not fully defending him but based on what I've heard, he was brought in as the perceived perfect fit because:

1) his methodology of how a "new age" defenceman needs to play, which is a really mobile and really quick at moving the puck forward to create a quick strike, always pressing offensive attack.

2) The above style of defence was identified by the Blackhawks management as a necessary change to become a faster team to keep up with the way the of the "new NHL". Ulf preached this with success in the minors and they wanted him to work with the dmen and Q to adjust their style.

3) Quenneville's relationship and history with Ulf kept him happy, while Stan went out and grabbed Don Granato to sit upstairs and evaluate, as well as work with younger players during practice and off the ice.


This move and adjustment didn't work out IMO due to:

* Defence Personnel - the skillset to make this change wasn't completely there and therefore was putting a lot of players out of their comfort zone on how to play "their" game (like Connor Murphy)

* Forward Personnel - the skillset upfront to accept these passes and work as a cohesive unit looked off all year.

* Defence of 8 - these guys were asked to do a lot and many didn't even know the "old" system, let alone this new style they were being asked to play. This made some defenders play een more tentatively then the system needed them to be because they were afraid to make a mistake. Hence, all of this Franson talk and watching Kempny succeed now.

* Quenneville's Ultimate Say - you could see how this plan to move the puck forward extremely quick and have your D being very aggressive worked... for game #1 vs. the Penguins. They caught them off guard and it was impressive to watch.

Then, when things went sideways, go back and watch how Q and the coaches reverted more back to the old style which had his defencemen hold on to the puck and try to play more of a safer possession style that has been effective in the past (resulting in Stanley Cup wins).

Sorry... this post could have been a blog in it's own, but just wanted to relay on some information on the whole Ulf and defence chatter.
- Justin Lowe

Well said Justin

Both probably get better ratings and demographics than hockey, unfortunately.
- StLBravesFan

If the NYR can get a 1st rounder for Rick Nash (who's also on the downside of he career), why can't Chicago at least get a late #1 for Seabs? Teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh can use him

The CBA doesn't expire for another 4 seasons. The NHLPA has an option to opt out, which would end the current CBA after 2 more seasons. However, compliance buyouts will only happen if the cap is going down. While possible, it seems unlikely that the NHLPA will opt out of the current CBA if the result would be them losing money to a lower cap. So if compliance buyouts are happening, it's probably in 4 years, not 2.
- Antilles

Oh thanks for the info, I have seen 2019 as the year when another compliance buyout could be pretty likely, but never verified it myself.

In that case, maybe it is a realistic option for the Blackhawks to try to move him and retain some salary. I guess it all depends on what they believe his current day value is. If Seabs in his current state is worth $3.5 million to the Hawks, then I guess retaining $2 million per year could make sense because the would be saving $4.8m ($6.8m-$2m) by moving him, so they would get a net positive value of $1.3m over his true value. I wonder what the organization believes his value to be to the team at this point?

If the NYR can get a 1st rounder for Rick Nash (who's also on the downside of he career), why can't Chicago at least get a late #1 for Seabs? Teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh can use him

If the NYR can get a 1st rounder for Rick Nash (who's also on the downside of he career), why can't Chicago at least get a late #1 for Seabs? Teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh can use him
- keegandimitrijevic

I think his contract length dramatically reduces his value vs. someone like Nash.

This is possible.

I will touch on this a little more in an upcoming blog, but wanted to say one thing; all of this "Ulf doesn't know how to coach" narrative isn't completely fair.

I am not fully defending him but based on what I've heard, he was brought in as the perceived perfect fit because:

1) his methodology of how a "new age" defenceman needs to play, which is a really mobile and really quick at moving the puck forward to create a quick strike, always pressing offensive attack.

2) The above style of defence was identified by the Blackhawks management as a necessary change to become a faster team to keep up with the way the of the "new NHL". Ulf preached this with success in the minors and they wanted him to work with the dmen and Q to adjust their style.

3) Quenneville's relationship and history with Ulf kept him happy, while Stan went out and grabbed Don Granato to sit upstairs and evaluate, as well as work with younger players during practice and off the ice.


This move and adjustment didn't work out IMO due to:

* Defence Personnel - the skillset to make this change wasn't completely there and therefore was putting a lot of players out of their comfort zone on how to play "their" game (like Connor Murphy)

* Forward Personnel - the skillset upfront to accept these passes and work as a cohesive unit looked off all year.

* Defence of 8 - these guys were asked to do a lot and many didn't even know the "old" system, let alone this new style they were being asked to play. This made some defenders play een more tentatively then the system needed them to be because they were afraid to make a mistake. Hence, all of this Franson talk and watching Kempny succeed now.

* Quenneville's Ultimate Say - you could see how this plan to move the puck forward extremely quick and have your D being very aggressive worked... for game #1 vs. the Penguins. They caught them off guard and it was impressive to watch.

Then, when things went sideways, go back and watch how Q and the coaches reverted more back to the old style which had his defencemen hold on to the puck and try to play more of a safer possession style that has been effective in the past (resulting in Stanley Cup wins).

Sorry... this post could have been a blog in it's own, but just wanted to relay on some information on the whole Ulf and defence chatter.
- Justin Lowe

I think this nails it Justin, it was an ever changing system, I think Ulf wanted a quick one pass and out on the rush type system in the Dzone. Unfortunately more often than not there were no forwards in the zone to pass to.

The three forwards on the ice just couldn’t get back there fast enough from behind the net in the offensive zone.

Oh thanks for the info, I have seen 2019 as the year when another compliance buyout could be pretty likely, but never verified it myself.

- LaheysBRandy

Yeah, a lot of the confusion is because the option to opt out of the CBA is in September of 2019; but the 19-20 season is played under the current CBA regardless. If either side opts out, it changes the CBA to expire June 20 of 2020, they don't actually opt out right away.

Well said Justin
- BetweenTheDots

Thanks for reading that novel BTD.

Vancouver has a ton of cap space opening, wouldn't that be a place for Seabs to land?
- powerenforcer

Normally I’d say a team in the Canucks stage of development wouldn’t want a guy like Seabrook. But the management in Vancouver is questionable so it’s entirely possible.

If Seabrook is dealt I’d expect the Hawks to take back a bad contract. Something like Seabrook for Eriksson. If that’s the type of return the team would get for Seabrook I’d rather keep him.

If the NYR can get a 1st rounder for Rick Nash (who's also on the downside of he career), why can't Chicago at least get a late #1 for Seabs? Teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh can use him
- keegandimitrijevic

Very different. Contract situation was the key factor there.

Also, Rick Nash is still very effective as a top 6 and with Seabrook, he'd be best used as a 5th/6th dman.

A 1st rounder would be out of the question for Seabs.

More like - bad contract for bad contract or Seabs + a pick/prospect or someone you don't want to see shipped out together for a player/pick (ie. Bickell/Teuvo)

Normally I’d say a team in the Canucks stage of development wouldn’t want a guy like Seabrook. But the management in Vancouver is questionable so it’s entirely possible.

If Seabrook is dealt I’d expect the Hawks to take back a bad contract. Something like Seabrook for Eriksson. If that’s the type of return the team would get for Seabrook I’d rather keep him.
- DarthKane

Bingo.

Or Seabrook for Lucic... type deal.

Makes the most sense. And at that point, I think I keep Seabrook.

If the NYR can get a 1st rounder for Rick Nash (who's also on the downside of he career), why can't Chicago at least get a late #1 for Seabs? Teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh can use him
- keegandimitrijevic

Length of contract

Bingo.

Or Seabrook for Lucic... type deal.

Makes the most sense. And at that point, I think I keep Seabrook.
- Justin Lowe

I always agree with the devil you know and Seabs is a good teammate regardless of his diminished ability to move Lucic is just bad now.

Recap from the Hogs game last night:

https://youtu.be/U8mRrie_Fso

Recap from the Hogs game last night:

https://youtu.be/U8mRrie_Fso
- walleyeb1

Thanks for posting. Great game and should be another good one tonight.

Make sure you check it out crew!

Recap from the Hogs game last night:

https://youtu.be/U8mRrie_Fso
- walleyeb1

Love the PBP guy

If the NYR can get a 1st rounder for Rick Nash (who's also on the downside of he career), why can't Chicago at least get a late #1 for Seabs? Teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh can use him
- keegandimitrijevic

rick nash was is a UFA; seabs has 6 years and and about 42 mildo coming...

you are not getting a number 1 for a 33 old guy in decline and all that tread worn off his tires with that contract

Thanks for posting. Great game and should be another good one tonight.

Make sure you check it out crew!
- Justin Lowe

Trade proposal:
Chicago
Seabrook 27th pick

Vancouver
Gaunce
sutter
2nd

Trade proposal:
Chicago
Seabrook 27th pick

Vancouver
Gaunce
sutter
2nd
- Scott1977

Vancouver wouldn't EVER do this. You are not getting ANYTHING of quality for Seabrook, period. The Canucks 2 and the Hawks 27 is a wash.

You'd be lucky to get a box of toilet paper for Seabrook + the 27. His contract is demonstrably worse than the Bickell deal was and it cost TT to unload that deal.

Bingo.

Or Seabrook for Lucic... type deal.

Makes the most sense. And at that point, I think I keep Seabrook.
- Justin Lowe

I'm sure the Hawks want to add some size in addition to the speed they've added. I think the most likely avenue for this would be internal promotions like Hayden and Ejdsell. Hayden is the more physical of the two but Ejdsell seems to be playing a strong game in Rockford.

I'm ok moving Seabrook as long as Stan doesn't have to give up too much and there's an adequate replacement. All things considered I don't expect to see Seabrook traded this summer and I'm good with that. On the other hand I would like to see the Hawks move Hossa's contract. The window for this core is about 2-3 years at best, the Hawks need to be able use use that cap space in a mid-term contract. With only 3 years left on his deal and costing only $1 million per the cost to trade Hossa's contract wouldn't be as high as moving Seabrook.

Trade proposal:
Chicago
Seabrook 27th pick

Vancouver
Gaunce
sutter
2nd
- Scott1977

I don't see Vancouver making this deal, they're high on Sutter for some reason. The only guy the Canucks would give up in deal for Seabs would be Erikson, and for that I'd rather keep Seabrook.

Vancouver wouldn't EVER do this. You are not getting ANYTHING of quality for Seabrook, period. The Canucks 2 and the Hawks 27 is a wash.

You'd be lucky to get a box of toilet paper for Seabrook + the 27. His contract is demonstrably worse than the Bickell deal was and it cost TT to unload that deal.
- kwolf68

Just spitballing that's all

Can we move past the obvious and look objectively at the Seabrook affair.

For Bowman's sake we wonder if he should keep him short term. Ticket sales, competitive team, a lot of new pro rookies are not ready. Not yet anyway.

Will there ever be a better opportunity to trade him? Maybe, maybe not..what is the market for him this summer and at the next trade deadline?

Sure he has slowed down. A saavy veteran can play within himself and can be effective..Let us dismiss the being in great shape this fall, because his skating has slipped.

Now I wonder how much a veteran like him can help young dmen. There is a message from Q, from coach Samuelson; who is teaching btw,?

So is Seabrook better than the player who would replace him? Better up to the trade deadline?
The team wins enough to keep tickets bought and used and money in Rocky's Blackhawk account? Maybe if yes, then a vote of confidence means Stan then trades veterans. At the trade deadline

Justin did say 459 prospects!

You could trade Seabrook and or Crawford for a late round choice but perhaps the pricetag could be inclusive one of our third string depth sort from last year's team

Above all else the mandate is to not only win more, but look better because that keeps fans interested and is the best tonic for job security

We really just need to see draft, trade, f/a results which do not include Seabrook and Crawford. It is too early to move them now.

Food for thought: Seabrook becomes masterful at playing angles a la L Murphy. Or the three leg shopping cart