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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Draft Recap, the Century Club & Rumor-Mill
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 25 @ 8:54 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Draft Recap, the Century Club & Rumor-Mill Now that I've had some time to digest the Blackhawks draft weekend, the more pleased I am with their selections.

Initial grades score fairly well for Stan, Mark Kelley and Co. Here are a few:

Bleacher Report – A
The Athletic – B+
Sporting News – A-
savvyone-1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: I'm singing the Blues!, IL
Joined: 03.04.2011

Jun 25 @ 9:02 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Draft Recap, the Century Club & Rumor-Mill
Now that I've had some time to digest the Blackhawks draft weekend, the more pleased I am with their selections.

Initial grades score fairly well for Stan, Mark Kelley and Co. Here are a few:

Bleacher Report – A
The Athletic – B+
Sporting News – A-

- Justin Lowe

Justin, thanks for your hard work to keep things rolling here on Buzz.
Just read this morning that Rocky/Blunk dumped Ogilvy as their (ad) agency of record and have hired a firm that Danny Wirtz has $ invested in as a partner.

Can't wait to see what comes out of this.
I guess they realized that "ONE GOAL" is meaningless these days, what with an 85% (or less) season ticket holder renewal rate.

As many have said, until McDonut, Stan and Q are shown the door and a real hockey guy is brought in to run the business, doubt we're going to see another CUP in our lifetime.
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jun 25 @ 9:05 AM ET
Nice work, Justin.

Not sure I would understand the Ward signing (if it happened), though. He's towards the end. I understand he'd be cheap, but would the intention be that he mentor a younger goalie -- but who would that younger goalie even be? That's the problem.

Forsberg? Ehh....I'm not sure.
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Jun 25 @ 9:14 AM ET
Nice work, Justin.

Not sure I would understand the Ward signing (if it happened), though. He's towards the end. I understand he'd be cheap, but would the intention be that he mentor a younger goalie -- but who would that younger goalie even be? That's the problem.

Forsberg? Ehh....I'm not sure.

- Hank3Henshaw


Must sign a top 4 D, solid back up netminder and a C who can win draws. Have to!!
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 25 @ 9:17 AM ET
Nice work, Justin.

Not sure I would understand the Ward signing (if it happened), though. He's towards the end. I understand he'd be cheap, but would the intention be that he mentor a younger goalie -- but who would that younger goalie even be? That's the problem.

Forsberg? Ehh....I'm not sure.

- Hank3Henshaw


I think if they do go with a veteran backstop, it will be a 1 or 2 year deal.

Also, it may not make sense at the time but I've heard they are not going to get caught in that shaky goalie situation again.

In saying that, they also don't put everything on their netminders. They know it was the team defence as well in front of them.

I think it's an insurance policy though in case they can't drastically improve the entire team, they are goimg to need some goalie wins.


Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 25 @ 9:18 AM ET
Must sign a top 4 D, solid back up netminder and a C who can win draws. Have to!!
- z1990z


That's my wish list as well.
resqmed99
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2007

Jun 25 @ 9:25 AM ET
Anderson wants out in Ottawa. Could see this being a PR move if it happens.
hawk35
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NF
Joined: 08.26.2009

Jun 25 @ 9:25 AM ET
Nice work, Justin.

Not sure I would understand the Ward signing (if it happened), though. He's towards the end. I understand he'd be cheap, but would the intention be that he mentor a younger goalie -- but who would that younger goalie even be? That's the problem.

Forsberg? Ehh....I'm not sure.

- Hank3Henshaw


I think the rationale of signing a "Ward" type veteran is NOT so much for the tutoring to young goalies, but to just have a veteran backup that they felt could play 20-25 pretty quality games to give Crawford a decent rest and an insurance that if Crawford went down they had a veteran that could step in and carry the team for a stretch.

Now. that said, is Ward that guy?....not sure. But I think they just rather a veteran than a new guy as the primary back-up.

z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

Jun 25 @ 9:27 AM ET
Anderson wants out in Ottawa. Could see this being a PR move if it happens.
- resqmed99



He is 37 now. 2 year deal max. But not a bad guy to have as the back up. With a healthy CC, Anderson would only get about 25 games.
jt19
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: LAINGSBURG, MI
Joined: 11.20.2008

Jun 25 @ 9:31 AM ET
i'd only go one year on anderson... he was one good, one bad year. last year was his bad year... should be good again next year, if his trend holds true.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 25 @ 9:38 AM ET
Justin great job up till now keep it going. I agree and disagree about size of players since bowman has taken over he drafts for the most part have small to average size players and a lot of euros. What I 'm saying is with those type of players need complement them with bigger physical board players to create room so those players can create offense and cycle in the o zone. Also need the bigger more physical players to win in the playoffs hawks need good balance of both throughout there lineup in the nhl ahl and other leagues like they had in 2010 speed kills so does constant physical play. At first I was upset with the draft selection but the more I look and read more it was a solid draft for the Hawks only problem should've took Veleno at 27. Need top 6 centers in our system do not have any. IMO smaltz is better suited to play wing (LW) than center not consistent on faceoffs good on the backcheck and takeaways not strong enough to up against the other big centers in the league he just have that edge to him same with AA. So hopefully going forward Bowman realizes this that size along with edgy play and physical players are essential to winning.

biskit67
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.27.2015

Jun 25 @ 9:40 AM ET
Thanks Justin.

Anybody see the trade they made? They traded Tanner Kero to Vancouver for Michael Chaput. Looks like a swap of AHL guys mostly. But Chaput in 135 career NHL games has a FO% of 51.8%. In the last 2 seasons, it's 53.6%. His possession numbers are pretty bad, but Vancouver is terrible. I wonder if he will get a look as 4th line center. Those are pretty good FO numbers. Anybody know if he is on the PK?

HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Jun 25 @ 9:42 AM ET
Justin, have really enjoyed the blog this past year. Keep up the great work.

I could see the Hawks brining in a vet especially if Crow is not ready to go. I’m also interested to see if Forsberg (if still around) is able to take another step.

He gave up some bad goals at times and I thought the bigger weakness was not having a short memory. Some of those bad goals took him out of his game and things spiraled. He’s still young and worth another shot AFAIC.
BlazinMike
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 05.08.2013

Jun 25 @ 9:46 AM ET
Thanks Justin.

Anybody see the trade they made? They traded Tanner Kero to Vancouver for Michael Chaput. Looks like a swap of AHL guys mostly. But Chaput in 135 career NHL games has a FO% of 51.8%. In the last 2 seasons, it's 53.6%. His possession numbers are pretty bad, but Vancouver is terrible. I wonder if he will get a look as 4th line center. Those are pretty good FO numbers. Anybody know if he is on the PK?

- biskit67


He probably wont be signed. He's RFA, and probly wont be tendered a qualifying offer. They need to free up roster spots i think. If he does stick around itll be AHL type guy.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 25 @ 9:48 AM ET
He is 37 now. 2 year deal max. But not a bad guy to have as the back up. With a healthy CC, Anderson would only get about 25 games.
- z1990z


Anderson is not a free agent. His current deal which runs for almost $5M and for 2 more years. I do not see him as a backup possibility at all.
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jun 25 @ 9:50 AM ET
I think if they do go with a veteran backstop, it will be a 1 or 2 year deal.

Also, it may not make sense at the time but I've heard they are not going to get caught in that shaky goalie situation again.

In saying that, they also don't put everything on their netminders. They know it was the team defence as well in front of them.

I think it's an insurance policy though in case they can't drastically improve the entire team, they are goimg to need some goalie wins.

- Justin Lowe


Good point.

I've always believed (and said on here a few times), if you strengthen the blueline, you can get away with a more "average" goalie who can make the saves he needs to make to keep you in and get the W.

Solid defense means you don't need a guy in the blue paint standing on his head every night.
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Jun 25 @ 9:53 AM ET
If the Blackhawks don’t qualify Duclair, can they circle back and sign him for less money after 7/1?
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 25 @ 9:54 AM ET
He probably wont be signed. He's RFA, and probly wont be tendered a qualifying offer. They need to free up roster spots i think. If he does stick around itll be AHL type guy.
- BlazinMike


I also think they offered up Kero to free up a contract spot. Probably could not get a draft pick for him.
At best I think Chaput gets offered a nice AHL contract to keep him in the system for now and preserve a contract spot.
resqmed99
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2007

Jun 25 @ 9:56 AM ET
If the Blackhawks don’t qualify Duclair, can they circle back and sign him for less money after 7/1?
- walleyeb1


I want to say this is forbidden and a loophole that the NHL closed after last agreement because I've seen this come up before.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 25 @ 10:01 AM ET
If the Blackhawks don’t qualify Duclair, can they circle back and sign him for less money after 7/1?
- walleyeb1


Great question. I don't know.

Anyone know the answer to this?

I would think even if they did the player would feel slighted and try their luck on the open market.

Someone will scoop up Duclair if he isn't QO'd. Heck, someone might even take a chance on Jurco.

I would like them to bring Duclair back, but if they don't, they obviously didn't like what they saw in his short stint because a 1-year / 1.8M(ish) contract wouldn't break the bank.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 25 @ 10:03 AM ET
If the Blackhawks don’t qualify Duclair, can they circle back and sign him for less money after 7/1?
- walleyeb1


Duclair should be qualified as it would not cost that much ($1.3M?). He is too young to let go at that price which can mostly be buried.
Jurco, on the other hand, has had enough time to prove himself -don't waste a contract spot on him.
[email protected]
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Glen Ellyn, IL
Joined: 05.18.2017

Jun 25 @ 10:03 AM ET
I will have to respectfully disagree on the right pick being made at # 8. Just what we need a very small D man who does not play D very well. And he won't be ready for NHL for 2 - 3 years. Bouchard and Dobson could play this year or next at the latest. So we have done nothing to help on offense, and nothing to help on defense for this coming year, or next,or maybe even the following year. Boqvist may be a fine player in the distant future, but he is of no help now and we need help now. I fear Stan was right about one thing, he doesn't see much change next year and so far that id coming true. Which could mean the same result at the end of next year. I hope the only change is in our GM. We need new directions from the top.
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Jun 25 @ 10:04 AM ET
Great question. I don't know.

Anyone know the answer to this?

I would think even if they did the player would feel slighted and try their luck on the open market.

Someone will scoop up Duclair if he isn't QO'd. Heck, someone might even take a chance on Jurco.

I would like them to bring Duclair back, but if they don't, they obviously didn't like what they saw in his short stint because a 1-year / 1.8M(ish) contract wouldn't break the bank.

- Justin Lowe


If that’s the case it’s silly not to qualify him at $1.2m and see if someone offer sheets him.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Jun 25 @ 10:04 AM ET
Nice work Justin, only 101, seemed like many many more well written blogs.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Jun 25 @ 10:13 AM ET
If the Blackhawks don’t qualify Duclair, can they circle back and sign him for less money after 7/1?
- walleyeb1


I would think, at his cost level, that number of contracts would be an issue more than dollars.
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