No for Schmaltz for sure; it'd depend on Debrincat but I lean toward no.
- L_B_R

Simply a huge NO

The Hawks should not go for Jack Johnson imo - he's been declining and dragging other players down for a little while now. There are better LD options in UFA than him, if that is the route they want to go, but they also just have so many LD in the system to try out.
- L_B_R

Agree. I'd rather the Hawks not pursue Johnson. Definitely better options on the market or just stay in house rather than scrape the bottom of the barrel.

And the ultimate once in a lifetime diamond was signing Panarin who was tragically dumped for no reason and brought back next to nothing. Second worst trade in Blackhawk history closing in on being the worst trade.
- Savoy

Is your entire residence a Panarin Shrine or just one room? Your time to talk was after the Caps won 4 straight and my nickname for Panarin - “Invisible” - fit him perfectly.

Thanks to all for answering my proposed question. Personally I'm 50/50 on it yes we need top4 defensive talent and how is smaltz projected a center or wing and is he a playoff player to small of sample size to deterime that yet. Smaltz and dcat ceilings are high and hawks need top 6 talent so I would agree with most No and thanks Darthkane for continue sarcasm.

Thanks to all for answering my proposed question. Personally I'm 50/50 on it yes we need top4 defensive talent and how is smaltz projected a center or wing and is he a playoff player to small of sample size to deterime that yet. Smaltz and dcat ceilings are high and hawks need top 6 talent so I would agree with most No and thanks Darthkane for continue sarcasm.
- Scott1977

Watch the VGK/Cap series closely. Every corner battle begins with each player trying to establish position with their bodies first, then work for the puck.....our smallish F's - how are they at that game? not good unfortunately and how about our D? not good

Is your entire residence a Panarin Shrine or just one room? Your time to talk was after the Caps won 4 straight and my nickname for Panarin - “Invisible” - fit him perfectly.
- Z3Hawk

Nah...he vanished like the amazing Panarin did after CLB lost 4 straight.

The Hawks should not go for Jack Johnson imo - he's been declining and dragging other players down for a little while now. There are better LD options in UFA than him, if that is the route they want to go, but they also just have so many LD in the system to try out.
- L_B_R

Agreed. Jack Johnson was a healthy scratch the entire Playoff series for a reason...hes not that good anymore. To go back to my comment on Reaves/Wilson.....when the Hawks were winning playoff series and championships, there was always a guy or two that laid the body, went to the tough areas, got under the opponents skin, and made defenseman uncomfortable....Burish, Eager, Mayers, Shaw, Bickell, Carcillo,Buff, Ladd, Bolland ect. Hawks are simply too soft and too small to win games in the Regular Season, much less the postseason when the whistles are put away and the zebras, "let the boys play". Somebody please remind Stanley Bowman that the Blackhawks play on North American Ice Surfaces, not the extra large International Rink that allows his 5'10" 175lb players to be much more effective.

Agreed. Jack Johnson was a healthy scratch the entire Playoff series for a reason...hes not that good anymore. To go back to my comment on Reaves/Wilson.....when the Hawks were winning playoff series and championships, there was always a guy or two that laid the body, went to the tough areas, got under the opponents skin, and made defenseman uncomfortable....Burish, Eager, Mayers, Shaw, Bickell, Carcillo,Buff, Ladd, Bolland ect. Hawks are simply too soft and too small to win games in the Regular Season, much less the postseason when the whistles are put away and the zebras, "let the boys play". Somebody please remind Stanley Bowman that the Blackhawks play on North American Ice Surfaces, not the extra large International Rink that allows his 5'10" 175lb players to be much more effective.
- EnzoD

I'm not arguing that they shouldn't have physical guys on the team - I just would want more than a Reaves-type. Buff, Bolland, Ladd, Bickell, and Shaw were all middle 6 players that contributed a lot of points or had duel role (facing top comp like Bolland) who also played physically. I love those types. Reaves is not one of those players, though.

Most teams can't have 4th lines full of just body checkers now like that 2010 team, like Burish and Eager. The Hawks 2010 team's top 9 and defense was just so (frank)ing good, the 4th line didn't really matter. Rolling 4 lines with more TOI is too important for that now imo. Q tried that type of 4th line this past season with Hayden-Wingels-Bouma but their usefulness was limited (not that the players themselves couldn't have been better in a different usage/deployment).

Ideally, the at least 2 guys that play a physical style would be scattered through the lineup for balance. I don't think a team necessarily needs more than a couple of these guys - the Hawks and Pens were some of the smallest teams overall in their latter two cup wins. I just want players to have a function beyond skating 7 minutes a game against low comp like Reaves. Like I've said before, I think Hayden could grow into this type of player.

Well, my TWO month ban of HockeyBuzz has ended, and I thought I would come back and share some final thoughts. I say final thoughts be the entire incident has left a bad taste in my mouth. The ban was handed down because I linked to MY own material/intellectual material. The most hilarious thing about the entire banishment, is in the open blog prior, Justin Lowe used my opinions eg. intellectual material and cited the website where I posted said opinion. That was ok. (For me, for the website, and for the hockeybuzz higher ups.) So I went into the blog, and as I usually do, and answer questions with mob opinions and try and be a really good contributor, not someone there to inflict harm or insult. When I did go back and attempt to post (as Justin apologized in the control panel messaging that I wasn’t banned in, and said he would try and get the ban shortened from 2 months because the draft my only area of true use, was upcoming) the hockeybuzz site reacted with a “You are suspended statement” that included the post in question. It was then that I realized someone banned me b/c that site link wasn’t one to my writings on Draftsite, but to something I posted that linked to the former Blackhawk bloggers new site. (Funny, that former blogger was just here the other day and has added HIS website’s name to his sign in ID…but I fall on the franking sword?)
So basically it was so much as they were going after me as they were somehow frightened I was there with the intent to poach viewers for HIS site.
So I am still unsure-if I list a link to my OWN work on DraftSite, does it get me suspended (even if Justin Lowe mentioned it) or not? Was it a frightened site policeman or is that in fact the new norm?
People have been throwing links to info for as long as I have been on the site, so I am confused.
and I ma also really angry that EVERYTIME I come to Buzz, I get barraged by the ad for Mackeeper a rotten Mac cleaner...
So I apologize in advance if I am not around to pick my brain on this year’s prospects and I will leave in the misguided hands of the Oprah fellow who is poaching entire player prospect opinions straight off paid sites like ISS and others like they are his.
I will close with a bit concerning the Blackhawks and this draft:
Do not be surprised or disappointed if it looks like they reached to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi, if they think he is the best centre in this class, and you don’t get many chances at a big guy with skill who can actually play pivot and feel comfortable and confident there after awhile.
Subsequently, don’t be surprised is the mock drafts of the top seven picks fall like the prognosticator are ranking them.
And it is my hope that a favorite of mine, Ty Dellandrea, is still on the board at slot #27…three months ago, he was thought of as a possible end of the first selection, but now has started to ascend after a terrific showing at the World Juniors Under-18s.
Well, you all know you can find my long winded thoughts on the 100 or so 2018 prospects…until I finish up the 4th rd and then the 5th on DraftSite.
Sorry I am sore loser!
I didn't deserve a ban.
Maybe, I will change my mind at later date.
Bill Placzek

One last Jacob Nilsson add-on:
The kid can shoot the puck. He has a heavy snapper, a slapper and good wrists, besides is real comfortable and agile on his blades. I don't know if the one year deal is because Rockford is his destination or they feel they can use him on the big club after the Spring cleaning for a year and then decide id he is really worth bigger dollars or if he is Kempny. (He might have gotten caught in the Forsling Murphy Cody Franson ice time problem, but he did little to warrant doing looks or a fat new deal.)
They will add someone like Ian Cole, not REAL top four guy, because they have to spend money elsewhere for more goal production.)

I may be misreading this but are you saying Reaves being in the line up is preventing dirty play and thuggery? Cause I don't know what two games you've watched so far, but that is really far from the truth. Wilson is still being Wilson by being predatory on smaller, unsuspecting players, and like half the Vegas team is playing Kings style of "do it so often, the refs can't call it all" hockey with the cross-checking, boarding, and many many many slashes. I never thought I'd feel sympathy for Oshie, but the abuse he's been taking is ridiculous and not real hockey imo

If that is not what you mean, then sorry for the confusion.

PS. The Hawks currently have a lot of kids on the team - they were 13th in age last season in January but were 5th youngest by the end of the season.
- L_B_R

Playoff hockey ia supposed to be rough. Reaves has played good and laid the body around. If it weren't for the instigator he could really straighten Wilson out. Who is so overrated in the toughness department

Question to the panel would trade smaltz or dcat for hanifin?
- Scott1977

Schmaltz yes he's too deva ish out there. How many times did he bail on the puck when he was gonna get hit this year? Three times a game?

Martinez would be a steal but I don't think the Kings are going to move him, are they? He and Murphy had instant chemistry at Worlds, it was kind of shocking. Are the Devils really shopping Severson? Cause they used him as their #2 this past season and in the playoffs as well as signing him to a nice deal. They definitely want something hefty back for him, I would imagine.

De Haan is the best UFA d-man after Carlson and may be the only UFA d-man I'd be interested in the Hawks picking up. I'm not high on Moore, personally, as he's been declining as the team around him has gotten better. The problem with both these guys is that he's LD and that is still the side that the Hawks have the most stacked players on.
- L_B_R

I believe Martinez and muzzin both are on the block with muzzin the more likely to be traded. Along with Pearson he’s on the block too.

Is your entire residence a Panarin Shrine or just one room? Your time to talk was after the Caps won 4 straight and my nickname for Panarin - “Invisible” - fit him perfectly.
- Z3Hawk

It's not only about Panarin. There was the disaster where TT was dumped as a throw away just to get rid of a contract and brought nothing back. Can you imagine TT as a throw away? Then there was no viable backup plan for the goalie. Then there's Kempny who we received next to nothing for and oh by the way Q did not trade him. Then there was Hammer as well as all the other mistakes but the crowning knockout blow to the Blackhawks was giving away Panarin and getting only about a quarter of his value back when you include what it did to hurt Kane and the rest of the team and then of course there has been no hint of a replacement for Panarin's numbers. Is it any wonder the team went from first place to last place in less than a year. So now much of the conversation around here has been reduced to the bottom feeder level of the unsure future of hit or miss draft picks and minor league signings.

https://blackhawkup.com/2...ho-are-ready-for-the-nhl/

FWIW, Blackhawkup.com listed their top 3 prospects who are ready for the NHL now:

1) Jokiharju
2) Soderlund
3) Nalimov

Their analysis lacks substance for all 3 prospects. I think Jokiharju and Soderlund are at least a year away. Nalimov is at least two years away since he'd be behind Delia and Lankinen unless he's stellar enough to leap frog them. Heck all 3 of them aren't even inked to ELCs yet.

I would think the top 3 prospects who are closest to being NHL ready are Sikura, Hayden, and Forsling. Kampf and Highmore are honorable mentions. And who knows about Kahun and Nilsson.

Just my two cents.

I believe Martinez and muzzin both are on the block with muzzin the more likely to be traded. Along with Pearson he’s on the block too.
- KINGS67

What's your take on why Martinez and Muzzin are on the block? Degrading performance? Promising prospects taking their spots? Contract issues?

What's your take on why Martinez and Muzzin are on the block? Degrading performance? Promising prospects taking their spots? Contract issues?
- AEL_Fox

Kings need to get a LW and the Doughty contract

Well, my TWO month ban of HockeyBuzz has ended, and I thought I would come back and share some final thoughts. I say final thoughts be the entire incident has left a bad taste in my mouth. The ban was handed down because I linked to MY own material/intellectual material. The most hilarious thing about the entire banishment, is in the open blog prior, Justin Lowe used my opinions eg. intellectual material and cited the website where I posted said opinion. That was ok. (For me, for the website, and for the hockeybuzz higher ups.) So I went into the blog, and as I usually do, and answer questions with mob opinions and try and be a really good contributor, not someone there to inflict harm or insult. When I did go back and attempt to post (as Justin apologized in the control panel messaging that I wasn’t banned in, and said he would try and get the ban shortened from 2 months because the draft my only area of true use, was upcoming) the hockeybuzz site reacted with a “You are suspended statement” that included the post in question. It was then that I realized someone banned me b/c that site link wasn’t one to my writings on Draftsite, but to something I posted that linked to the former Blackhawk bloggers new site. (Funny, that former blogger was just here the other day and has added HIS website’s name to his sign in ID…but I fall on the franking sword?)
So basically it was so much as they were going after me as they were somehow frightened I was there with the intent to poach viewers for HIS site.
So I am still unsure-if I list a link to my OWN work on DraftSite, does it get me suspended (even if Justin Lowe mentioned it) or not? Was it a frightened site policeman or is that in fact the new norm?
People have been throwing links to info for as long as I have been on the site, so I am confused.
and I ma also really angry that EVERYTIME I come to Buzz, I get barraged by the ad for Mackeeper a rotten Mac cleaner...
So I apologize in advance if I am not around to pick my brain on this year’s prospects and I will leave in the misguided hands of the Oprah fellow who is poaching entire player prospect opinions straight off paid sites like ISS and others like they are his.
I will close with a bit concerning the Blackhawks and this draft:
Do not be surprised or disappointed if it looks like they reached to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi, if they think he is the best centre in this class, and you don’t get many chances at a big guy with skill who can actually play pivot and feel comfortable and confident there after awhile.
Subsequently, don’t be surprised is the mock drafts of the top seven picks fall like the prognosticator are ranking them.
And it is my hope that a favorite of mine, Ty Dellandrea, is still on the board at slot #27…three months ago, he was thought of as a possible end of the first selection, but now has started to ascend after a terrific showing at the World Juniors Under-18s.
Well, you all know you can find my long winded thoughts on the 100 or so 2018 prospects…until I finish up the 4th rd and then the 5th on DraftSite.
Sorry I am sore loser!
I didn't deserve a ban.
Maybe, I will change my mind at later date.
Bill Placzek

One last Jacob Nilsson add-on:
The kid can shoot the puck. He has a heavy snapper, a slapper and good wrists, besides is real comfortable and agile on his blades. I don't know if the one year deal is because Rockford is his destination or they feel they can use him on the big club after the Spring cleaning for a year and then decide id he is really worth bigger dollars or if he is Kempny. (He might have gotten caught in the Forsling Murphy Cody Franson ice time problem, but he did little to warrant doing looks or a fat new deal.)
They will add someone like Ian Cole, not REAL top four guy, because they have to spend money elsewhere for more goal production.)
- wiz1901

Glad to have you back your insight is second to none and visit your site quite a bit DRAFT SITE.com. suspension was ridiculous and stupid. I like kotaniemi and velno at 8 need center depth in system. Do you think merkly drops to 27th? In your opinion who you should the hawks pick at 8 and 27?

Kings need to get a LW and the Doughty contract
- KINGS67

Thanks!

Thanks!
- AEL_Fox

I do know the kings are trying to move up as well. I’m guessing the 10th with Edmonton

He was.

Could be a sneaky good signing due to Colliton's experience with him.
- Justin Lowe

Interesting read, I’d say you were spot on Jason:

https://www.nhl.com/black...hawks-signing/c-298868838

I do know the kings are trying to move up as well. I’m guessing the 10th with Edmonton
- KINGS67

If the Kings were interested in trading with the Hawks, who would you want in return for either Martinez or Muzzin? I'm guessing the deal may be different depending on which Kings d-man is traded.

Well, my TWO month ban of HockeyBuzz has ended, and I thought I would come back and share some final thoughts. I say final thoughts be the entire incident has left a bad taste in my mouth. The ban was handed down because I linked to MY own material/intellectual material. The most hilarious thing about the entire banishment, is in the open blog prior, Justin Lowe used my opinions eg. intellectual material and cited the website where I posted said opinion. That was ok. (For me, for the website, and for the hockeybuzz higher ups.) So I went into the blog, and as I usually do, and answer questions with mob opinions and try and be a really good contributor, not someone there to inflict harm or insult. When I did go back and attempt to post (as Justin apologized in the control panel messaging that I wasn’t banned in, and said he would try and get the ban shortened from 2 months because the draft my only area of true use, was upcoming) the hockeybuzz site reacted with a “You are suspended statement” that included the post in question. It was then that I realized someone banned me b/c that site link wasn’t one to my writings on Draftsite, but to something I posted that linked to the former Blackhawk bloggers new site. (Funny, that former blogger was just here the other day and has added HIS website’s name to his sign in ID…but I fall on the franking sword?)
So basically it was so much as they were going after me as they were somehow frightened I was there with the intent to poach viewers for HIS site.
So I am still unsure-if I list a link to my OWN work on DraftSite, does it get me suspended (even if Justin Lowe mentioned it) or not? Was it a frightened site policeman or is that in fact the new norm?
People have been throwing links to info for as long as I have been on the site, so I am confused.
and I ma also really angry that EVERYTIME I come to Buzz, I get barraged by the ad for Mackeeper a rotten Mac cleaner...
So I apologize in advance if I am not around to pick my brain on this year’s prospects and I will leave in the misguided hands of the Oprah fellow who is poaching entire player prospect opinions straight off paid sites like ISS and others like they are his.
I will close with a bit concerning the Blackhawks and this draft:
Do not be surprised or disappointed if it looks like they reached to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi, if they think he is the best centre in this class, and you don’t get many chances at a big guy with skill who can actually play pivot and feel comfortable and confident there after awhile.
Subsequently, don’t be surprised is the mock drafts of the top seven picks fall like the prognosticator are ranking them.
And it is my hope that a favorite of mine, Ty Dellandrea, is still on the board at slot #27…three months ago, he was thought of as a possible end of the first selection, but now has started to ascend after a terrific showing at the World Juniors Under-18s.
Well, you all know you can find my long winded thoughts on the 100 or so 2018 prospects…until I finish up the 4th rd and then the 5th on DraftSite.
Sorry I am sore loser!
I didn't deserve a ban.
Maybe, I will change my mind at later date.
Bill Placzek

One last Jacob Nilsson add-on:
The kid can shoot the puck. He has a heavy snapper, a slapper and good wrists, besides is real comfortable and agile on his blades. I don't know if the one year deal is because Rockford is his destination or they feel they can use him on the big club after the Spring cleaning for a year and then decide id he is really worth bigger dollars or if he is Kempny. (He might have gotten caught in the Forsling Murphy Cody Franson ice time problem, but he did little to warrant doing looks or a fat new deal.)
They will add someone like Ian Cole, not REAL top four guy, because they have to spend money elsewhere for more goal production.)
- wiz1901

Bill - great to have you back (briefly) for your insight.

I'm sorry that you had this experience with HB. I hope the community here and your love for the game brings you back once and a while.

Always feel free to drop me a note - you're always welcome here in my eyes.

Cheers,
JL

Rare Evening Blog Post... http://www.hockeybuzz.com...a-Possibilities/253/93145

It's not only about Panarin. There was the disaster where TT was dumped as a throw away just to get rid of a contract and brought nothing back. Can you imagine TT as a throw away? Then there was no viable backup plan for the goalie. Then there's Kempny who we received next to nothing for and oh by the way Q did not trade him. Then there was Hammer as well as all the other mistakes but the crowning knockout blow to the Blackhawks was giving away Panarin and getting only about a quarter of his value back when you include what it did to hurt Kane and the rest of the team and then of course there has been no hint of a replacement for Panarin's numbers. Is it any wonder the team went from first place to last place in less than a year. So now much of the conversation around here has been reduced to the bottom feeder level of the unsure future of hit or miss draft picks and minor league signings.
- Savoy

Each trade stands on its own. As does each contract and salary cap pressure situation and fan recollection. The Bickel situation in hindsight became very unfortunate. The team felt his contract had to be moved at the time. Many fans choose to selectively forget this but TT was not popular with the coaching staff, management and other players as he was lazy. Thought playing golf equated to off-season training. So he was in the doghouse whether he was included in the Bickel trade or not.

Q in effect did trade Kempny as Q refused to play him and he was never going to re-sign. Bowman forced to get something and got a 3. That or nothing.

The trade of Hammer for Murphy was a fine trade. That Q has treated Murphy like garbage, just like he treated Kempny like garbage, doesn’t change this.

If the Kings were interested in trading with the Hawks, who would you want in return for either Martinez or Muzzin? I'm guessing the deal may be different depending on which Kings d-man is traded.
- AEL_Fox

Honestly I really want the kings in the top 10. But I know the hawks have very similar issues as the kings do, except I believe the kings are better on defense. I doubt they’ll want a hefty contract but I’d say saad would be a target. But I think that’s the wrong way to go.

I think I’d be diminishing the team but I’m up for trading Pearson and muzzin/martinez for a JVR type player. Or package them and the 20th which I’ve mentioned before to get into top 10.