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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Ideal Free Agency Frenzy for Blackhawks
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 29 @ 11:22 AM ET
Justin Lowe: Ideal Free Agency Frenzy for Blackhawks
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Jun 29 @ 11:24 AM ET
FIRST. YOU GET A CAR. I GET A SANDWICH
FinnGod
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: ND
Joined: 01.25.2018

Jun 29 @ 11:24 AM ET
I threw up a little when I looked over that projected lineup....especially the defense 🤢 de Haan would be a great signing though, love his game
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 29 @ 11:28 AM ET
I threw up a little when I looked over that projected lineup....especially the defense 🤢 de Haan would be a great signing though, love his game
- FinnGod


It's partially "ideal" and partially what I believe is actually going to happen.

35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Jun 29 @ 11:33 AM ET
de Haan + good improvement in-house from newer 'Hawk d-men makes this a MUCH better year than so far expected.
BlazinMike
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 05.08.2013

Jun 29 @ 11:35 AM ET
Gonna take a big time effort from the forward corps this upcoming year to help out the D.

67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 29 @ 11:35 AM ET
I am dogged by that weak lineup at center ice. Better get a lot of production off the wings.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Jun 29 @ 11:38 AM ET
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Kane
Grabner-Beagle-Sikura
Kahun-Grant-Hayden

Keith-Rutta
de Haan-Murphy
Forsling/Gustafsson-Seabrook

Crawford
Ward

Debrincat is most comfortable on the right, and he's more important offensively than Hinostroza. Hinostroza took a big step forward last year (40+ point pace with minimal PP time), but he is not a first line player.

I think you have to load up the top line with Saad-Toews-Kane, then let the rest fall where it may. I do like how fast and young the forward lines look, but we need more 50 point guys. The days of rolling 3 dangerous lines have to return if we're going to overshadow the poopy defense. Unfortunately we don't have a forward core lined with All-Stars like previous years (Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa) and very good middle 6 guys (Shaw, Saad).

Ruuta on the top pairing scares me, Keith can't be Keith if he has to babysit. Hoping for a step forward from CAPTAIN AMERICA WORLDS SAVIOR Murphy, but until he consistently shuts things down in the Hawks end I'll remain bearish on him. I'd like to see Forsling get more than 10-12 minutes a night, he was our best defenseman for about ten games last season. His play corresponds with his confidence, and Q can't afford to be bad cop so much with his job on the line.

I'm mixed on the Ward signing. In 6 months we might be lamenting a terrible signing of an old goalie who has been coasting off his cup run for 13 years, wondering how we got fooled by a goalie who's stats screamed 'NOT WORTH IT'. Or maybe Ward will take the bull by the horns in his starts every 3rd or 4th game. Goalies are very volatile between teams, it's how you get 'worst goalie in the league Dubnyk' and 'Vezina nominee Dubnyk' in the same season.

I'd like to see some short term/low AAV deals to these free agents who are looking to win a cup. A resurgent Kane/Keith will be a breath of fresh air.
vabeachbear
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Ft Courage - out in the middle of Indian Country, NC
Joined: 10.17.2011

Jun 29 @ 11:41 AM ET
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Kane
Grabner-Beagle-Sikura
Kahun-Grant-Hayden

Keith-Rutta
de Haan-Murphy
Forsling/Gustafsson-Seabrook

Crawford
Ward


Debrincat is most comfortable on the right, and he's more important offensively than Hinostroza. Hinostroza took a big step forward last year (40+ point pace with minimal PP time), but he is not a first line player.

I think you have to load up the top line with Saad-Toews-Kane, then let the rest fall where it may. I do like how fast and young the forward lines look, but we need more 50 point guys. The days of rolling 3 dangerous lines have to return if we're going to overshadow the poopy defense. Unfortunately we don't have a forward core lined with All-Stars like previous years (Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa) and very good middle 6 guys (Shaw, Saad).

Ruuta on the top pairing scares me, Keith can't be Keith if he has to babysit. Hoping for a step forward from CAPTAIN AMERICA WORLDS SAVIOR Murphy, but until he consistently shuts things down in the Hawks end I'll remain bearish on him. I'd like to see Forsling get more than 10-12 minutes a night, he was our best defenseman for about ten games last season. His play corresponds with his confidence, and Q can't afford to be bad cop so much with his job on the line.

I'm mixed on the Ward signing. In 6 months we might be lamenting a terrible signing of an old goalie who has been coasting off his cup run for 13 years, wondering how we got fooled by a goalie who's stats screamed 'NOT WORTH IT'. Or maybe Ward will take the bull by the horns in his starts every 3rd or 4th game. Goalies are very volatile between teams, it's how you get 'worst goalie in the league Dubnyk' and 'Vezina nominee Dubnyk' in the same season.

I'd like to see some short term/low AAV deals to these free agents who are looking to win a cup. A resurgent Kane/Keith will be a breath of fresh air.

- ObeseOprah


Ewwwww

That's not a playoff team, and that's not a rebuild.

Stuck in purgatory.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 11:42 AM ET
A lineup with both Beagle and Grant would not be a good one imo. I like Beagle, he's a solid checking center who can PK, but he did better for the Caps when they were able to shave off over two minutes of his 5v5 time so he could focus more on the PK. He couldn't do that if he was a 3C on the Hawks. I also wouldn't put Sikura on a checking line - that would stifle his offense.

Not interested in Grant who is a prototypical 4th liner who faces the lowest comp and gets mostly NZ deployment. Energy 4th liners are fine if the top 9 are legit stacked but that won't be the case with the Hawks next year.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 29 @ 11:52 AM ET
If what you propose as the lineup going into next year then they wont make the playoffs. hino as a top 6 rw horrible he depth energy guy 13 forward plus need more size on the wings and at center if hawks can get beagle and grant that's a win big time agree with you there. The d is only good if hawks can land faulk and dehann for example rutta is a 6 7 d man and gus is an ahler. AA needs to be packaged with Hossa's contract he would be the sweeter in the deal or something like that. Grabner I would stay away from to me he needs a certain type system for him to be good.


Justin you mention Islanders (only if Taveras doesn't sign) what prospect for AA would you be looking for the same question for vegas and montreal?

Hopefully Bowman can get a lot accomplish from now until training and especially in the next 72 hours. Just don't overpay I would like Bozak and beagle as center help and move smaltz to wing. Winnek pass any young players or European players that the hawks have signed should all be in Rockford DEVELOPING for the whole year no matter what. GO HAWKS!!
TommyHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.23.2013

Jun 29 @ 11:52 AM ET
I’m not advocating for the team to blow up their cap space and plug holes in for the sake of doing so, but wasting cap resources on a player like Grabner who was utter garbage when traded to the Devils, was scratched in the postseason, and has played on 4 different teams in the past 4 seasons is not smart spending. Would rather have a kid fill that bottom-six wing position or add actual gritty veteran.

- If de Haan is truly looking for a one-year deal in the hopes of cashing out next offseason, I offer whatever he wants to make it happen. Not because he’s great per se, but because as a short-term plug he’d be fine in the top-four and would allow Jokiharu to get one more year under his belt before he can hopefully make the jump to the NHL and slot into the top-four (even though he’s on the other side). Really banking on Goose to take a step up this year. Big, big year for him ahead.

- Would be fine adding Beagle, and pursue him early, but think he’s going to get overpaid by someone else to center their third line.
- Derek Grant doesn’t make much sense as he’s a fourth line center and I think the Hawks have high hopes for Kampf who I personally felt looked solid and will be a very productive 4th line center for us in the way Kruger was.
- JvR will definitely get 5x6 from someone and it won’t be us (unless Saad is dealt for Faulk or something like that but let me throw up really quick)

I’m hoping for (version 1.0):

- Jay Beagle
- Calvin de Haan
- AA moved for cap space
- Hossa moved
- Save the cap space for in-season moves or next offseason when the team has a much better understanding of where they stand.

Saad - Toews - Hinostroza
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Sikura - Beagle - Hayden
Wingels - Kampf - Martinsen

Keith - Seabrook
de Haan - Murphy
Gus - Rutta

Crawford
Ward



tompo1015
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 03.17.2013

Jun 29 @ 11:53 AM ET
Hinistroza on the first line? Yech.
Cat, Kane and Schmaltz? That's a smurf line that will get pushed off too many pucks.
Sikura on the third line? He went get much offensive chances there.

That blue line isn't any better than last years.

If/when Stan signs Ward, where does that leave Forsberg? I doubt he gets sneaked thru to Rockford. If he's included in a trade that makes the Panarin trade look that much worse.
StanBo has got to go.
BlackHawksMan8588
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Huntington, NY
Joined: 06.27.2018

Jun 29 @ 11:58 AM ET
Hawks need to sign Paul Stastny for center instead of Derek Grant, Stastny would be a perfect fit for the Hawks the Jets don't have any cap room to keep him they would need to trade off some players in order to do so.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 29 @ 12:00 PM ET
Saad-Toews-Hinostroza
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Kane
Grabner-Beagle-Sikura
Kahun-Grant-Hayden

Keith-Rutta
de Haan-Murphy
Forsling/Gustafsson-Seabrook

Crawford
Ward

Debrincat is most comfortable on the right, and he's more important offensively than Hinostroza. Hinostroza took a big step forward last year (40+ point pace with minimal PP time), but he is not a first line player.

I think you have to load up the top line with Saad-Toews-Kane, then let the rest fall where it may. I do like how fast and young the forward lines look, but we need more 50 point guys. The days of rolling 3 dangerous lines have to return if we're going to overshadow the poopy defense. Unfortunately we don't have a forward core lined with All-Stars like previous years (Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa) and very good middle 6 guys (Shaw, Saad).

Ruuta on the top pairing scares me, Keith can't be Keith if he has to babysit. Hoping for a step forward from CAPTAIN AMERICA WORLDS SAVIOR Murphy, but until he consistently shuts things down in the Hawks end I'll remain bearish on him. I'd like to see Forsling get more than 10-12 minutes a night, he was our best defenseman for about ten games last season. His play corresponds with his confidence, and Q can't afford to be bad cop so much with his job on the line.

I'm mixed on the Ward signing. In 6 months we might be lamenting a terrible signing of an old goalie who has been coasting off his cup run for 13 years, wondering how we got fooled by a goalie who's stats screamed 'NOT WORTH IT'. Or maybe Ward will take the bull by the horns in his starts every 3rd or 4th game. Goalies are very volatile between teams, it's how you get 'worst goalie in the league Dubnyk' and 'Vezina nominee Dubnyk' in the same season.

I'd like to see some short term/low AAV deals to these free agents who are looking to win a cup. A resurgent Kane/Keith will be a breath of fresh air.

- ObeseOprah



Weak second line
Kahun Sikura Rockford developing should not see the nhl at all until next season

Weak 3rd line also

add martinsin grant hayden good 4th line


Unless hawks can get a puck moving d man doesn't matter if they sign dehann the d will have same outcome poor.


Hopefully bigger things will happen!
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 12:01 PM ET
Hawks need to sign Paul Stastny for center instead of Derek Grant, Stastny would be a perfect fit for the Hawks the Jets don't have any cap room to keep him they would need to trade off some players in order to do so.
- BlackHawksMan8588

If the Hawks are looking at guys like Beagle and Grant, then they know they're out of the race for guys like Stastny. A better pick would be Riley Nash at 3C for $2-3m.

Also reports are the Jets are exploring moving salary to make room for Stastny.
SecondCitySavage
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.22.2018

Jun 29 @ 12:04 PM ET
Happy birthday, JL.

If the Hawks were to make the moves you listed, I would be okay with it. Even if they can't get Beagle or Grant, Bozak would be a good fit too. They definitely need a guy over 52% in faceoffs. The only concern I have is the second line; there ins't any balance there, Schmaltz isn't great in the dots, and none of those guys are overly fast to stretch opposing defenders. If they trade AA, (which I hope they do), they'll need a guy who can create that space. I personally would like to see DeBrinks on the RW1 with Toews and Saad.

If De Haan and Crow are completely recovered from their injuries, then this team might be improved on paper, barring any other injuries.
SoftServe
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.19.2016

Jun 29 @ 12:04 PM ET
Saad-Toews-Cat
JVR-Nick-Kane
Vinny-R. Nash-Sikura
Wingles-Johnson-Hayden

Keith-Faulk
Murphy-Jokiharju
Gus-Seabs

Crow
Ward
biskit67
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.27.2015

Jun 29 @ 12:05 PM ET
I hoping they can find a taker for Hossa's contract somewhere in there too.

I'm okay with Ward as a fill-in. de Haan is good. Rutta on the top pairing is scary though.

Beagle and Grabner are okay. Don't like Grant. Hoping they can dump Animisov's contract and make an actual play for Neal or JVR. Not sure how the $$$ would work out though.

Then, you have something more like this:
Projected
JVR/Neal-Toews-Debrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Grabner-Beagle-Hino
(any number of young guys)-Sikura-Hayden

Keith-Rutta
de Haan-Murphy
Forsling/Gustafsson-Seabrook

Crawford
Ward
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Jun 29 @ 12:11 PM ET
JJ on Twitter:

Source just now: "no way" Saad is getitng dealt for Faulk. So we got that goin' for us. Which is nice. Everything else unsettled by Tavares Drama. Hawks getting positive feedback from DeHaan, Hickey, John Moore. Also, have inquired about . . . Roussel.
jrsamu
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 11.07.2014

Jun 29 @ 12:13 PM ET
If Hinostroza plays in the top 6, you know the Hawks are playing for a lottery pick. And if that is the case, what is the point in signing a bunch of free agents? Hino can be useful in the bottom six if he is (by far) the smallest guy on his line.
kmw4631
Location: CHICAGO
Joined: 02.27.2015

Jun 29 @ 12:14 PM ET
At this point I feel like craw will not be ready and even if he is my guess is he will be bad. Just to much time off from working out at his age. he has not been on skates in 6 mos and growing. Does anybody see this as a team that can compete for anything? We were 19 points out of playoff spot and the 3 teams behind us. AZ,VAN,ED by all accounts should be better next year. Even if we get all the ideal fits which never happens we still miss the playoffs unless we get .920 goal tending and Craw and Ward are not going to do that IMO. I'm a season ticket holder and the mini rebuild did not work. Also is it just me but I see guys sign contracts for other teams and think that is pretty reasonable. Kemp 4 year at 2.5 for a guy that was playing top line minutes in the ST team seems more then fair 27-31 age
nickmo2699
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 01.06.2012

Jun 29 @ 12:14 PM ET
JJ on Twitter:

Source just now: "no way" Saad is getitng dealt for Faulk. So we got that goin' for us. Which is nice. Everything else unsettled by Tavares Drama. Hawks getting positive feedback from DeHaan, Hickey, John Moore. Also, have inquired about . . . Roussel.

- walleyeb1


Roussel would be a nice add for a 4th line forward. He plays on the edge and my concern with that, is will Q allow him to play his style?
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 29 @ 12:15 PM ET
A lineup with both Beagle and Grant would not be a good one imo. I like Beagle, he's a solid checking center who can PK, but he did better for the Caps when they were able to shave off over two minutes of his 5v5 time so he could focus more on the PK. He couldn't do that if he was a 3C on the Hawks. I also wouldn't put Sikura on a checking line - that would stifle his offense.

Not interested in Grant who is a prototypical 4th liner who faces the lowest comp and gets mostly NZ deployment. Energy 4th liners are fine if the top 9 are legit stacked but that won't be the case with the Hawks next year.

- L_B_R


Could be right there LBR. Maybe a sign that they should keep Anisimov. Not much out there for C in FA which because of that will drive up proces on guys like Bozak.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 29 @ 12:17 PM ET
Ewwwww

That's not a playoff team, and that's not a rebuild.

Stuck in purgatory.

- vabeachbear


Add in a trade for a guy like Faulk and they might not be in too bad of shape.

This lineup was built in mind that the baby core has to take a another big leap.
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