Agreed! John Moore would be a nice upgrade for the LD on pair 2 or 3 with good skating and size and a Chicago kid ( I remember watching him dominate for TI U18 as a 15yr old). Otherwise, let the kids play big minutes, develop, and tank for Hughes!!!!
- EnzoD

I'm telling you just go with Forsberg and spend that goalie money (Ward) to pick up DeHaan and Moore!

Defensemen do not need to have large quantities of hits though - they need to be smart hitters, of which Seabrook is and Murphy has shown could be. Tougher to play against is something I'm not opposed to, do not get me wrong, but it's not my primary concern. Look at the Pens group during their cup runs - who was all that intimidated by them outside of maybe one guy? Who was that intimidating during the Hawks 2013/15 runs outside of Seabrook? Also, the whole clear the crease thing seemed to be a team directive, not an individual player issue. Crawford has even spoken about that - he prefers no battling in front of him. So your issue there may not be a personnel thing at all. Don't know that for sure but it felt like it was that way since 2013-ish.

I also don't agree with your assessment on Gus - like for sure he has some deficiencies, but he was objectively good in his role last season and could be a solid offensive #6. There are no options in UFA that would be better at that type of offensive bottom pair at as cheap a price either. Rutta was a weird case to me - started good, then sunk a bit, injured, and I do think he was used wrong. Idk how he'll be and I'm not saying Gus should be anything more than b2 but that is why I'm more focused on getting top 4 help than more b2 guys. I don't care for Oesterle, which is why I did not mention him in my last post. He's meh for sure.

And as for the younger guys, there are several that are a good age to be transitioning: Forsling (22), Dahlström (23), Hillman (22), and Gilbert (22 soon) are the most obvious. Maybe the latter two need some time in Rockford, but they could compete for spots. Carlsson (21 soon) is the wild card imo. And many of those kids are defense-first and some have good size. You never know until the get up there - no one expected Hjammer in 2010 to be as good as he was in a top 4 role. No idea if they will be fully ready but it seems inaccurate to say they're all a few years away from potentially impacting the NHL.
- L_B_R

I would have to agree with your assessment on Gus. He has enormous offensive-abilities and a connection with Kane. I just am not quite sure if he can't play D or refuses to play D, probably and combo of both.

Forsling looked good early then he tanked with a bunch of minuses and that was the beginning of the end for him. Dahlstrom, despite his size I was not impressed with. Hillman was merely average at DU when I watched him a few times but looked OK with the cup of coffee with the Hawks. Gilbert I have seen both in juniors and at ND, my take is way too unpredictable but Rockford should help.

Doughty's deal doesn't kick in until next season, so the Kings don't need to move anyone until then unless they're still hoping to add (Skinner, JVR?). They have 12 forwards + 6 d-men with $3.2m in cap space right now.

And Martinez is still their #2 d-man who is signed to a sweetheart deal at only $4m for a reasonable 3 more years. The only way they trade him is if they were getting back a younger d-man who played on the right (Martinez plays both sides so the Kings use him as a RD, esp cause of Phaneuf).

Wish we could get him but highly unlikely.
- L_B_R

All true. However, they are at ~74M next season with 15 player . Sure they can bring up a couple of ELC players but my thinking is this might be a better way for them to get a better return for Martinez. Of course, if they feel this is their best shot this season by keeping him, not much will pry him from the Kings.

Upside vs as close to a sure thing as you could’ve gotten at 8 in Wahlstrom. Oliver had 40 goal upside, and will probably get a taste of NHL action when his college season ends. I hope Boquist fulfills his high end potential, but at his size with multiple confirmed concussions, it’s a risky pick IMO. Again, Erik Karlsson is a great Offensive player, but watching him defend is brutal at times. As long as checking is allowed, the 175lb Dman will have limitations in clearing the crease, and winning board battles. At best, Boquist is NHL ready when Kane is 33. I would’ve drafted the Right shot LW with size and skill and finishing ability to play with 8+88 as soon as next Spring.

EDIT: I really like the high end impact Boquist could have, and we are all hoping he gets there. Wahlstrom would’ve been more of a “win now/soon” pick, and Boquist is more of a rebuilding type pick IMO.
- EnzoD

Agreed with your stance on Walstrom but in today's game and assuming everything is equal with Walstrom's and Boquist production, I would say boquist would have more of an positive impact and more valuable. Top D's can flat out control games ala Doughty, Hedman, Subban/Josi, etc

Good night. Hopefully its a tad less boring tomorrow ! ☠️💀👽👽💀☠️

Don't want it to happen, but seems to be Stan's MO after he misses on everyone else. Trying to think of an impactful FA he has signed
- ikeane

Campbell. Hossa. Panarin.

The hard cap was installed to placate the smaller markets and keep teams like Arz, Fla and the Canes afloat to stay in those markets.
- Elbows15

Understand why the hard cap was put in to create an even playing field for all nhl teams. Those teams that you mention what have they done since the hard cap was implemented nothing really. Hopefully in next cba negotiations it will put an emphasis and developing and keeping young talent just my opinion.

Campbell. Hossa. Panarin.
- tyweb69

Are you talking about Campbell V2.0 or V1.0? It was Tallon who signed him (and Hossa), which would help lead to the 2010 Cup. Bowman had nothing to do with Soupy signing in Chicago until you fast forward to a good and washed up Soupy in 2017,

Are you talking about Campbell V2.0 or V1.0? It was Tallon who signed him (and Hossa), which would help lead to the 2010 Cup. Bowman had nothing to do with Soupy signing in Chicago until you fast forward to a good and washed up Soupy in 2017,
- kwolf68

Shoot you are right Tallan nabbed Campbell and Hossa. Well ok then, only Panarin. Still, a pretty good get. Kempny wasn’t bad either (well on Washington anyway).

Shoot you are right Tallan nabbed Campbell and Hossa. Well ok then, only Panarin. Still, a pretty good get. Kempny wasn’t bad either (well on Washington anyway).
- tyweb69

Rozsival and Emery for the 2013 cup, Richards and Darling for 2015 cup. None as big as Hossa, but still quite useful. Not his forte, like I said earlier, Bowman built more through trades (Oduya, Leddy, Stalberg, Vermette, Desjardins) and promotion from within (Shaw, Saad, Shaw, Bickell, Teravainen, Kruger).

Rozsival and Emery for the 2013 cup, Richards and Darling for 2015 cup. None as big as Hossa, but still quite useful. Not his forte, like I said earlier, Bowman built more through trades (Oduya, Leddy, Stalberg, Vermette, Desjardins) and promotion from within (Shaw, Saad, Shaw, Bickell, Teravainen, Kruger).
- L_B_R

Until this year, he never had the cap space to go after high-impact FAs - always needing to subtract salary rather than add.

I would have to agree with your assessment on Gus. He has enormous offensive-abilities and a connection with Kane. I just am not quite sure if he can't play D or refuses to play D, probably and combo of both.

Forsling looked good early then he tanked with a bunch of minuses and that was the beginning of the end for him. Dahlstrom, despite his size I was not impressed with. Hillman was merely average at DU when I watched him a few times but looked OK with the cup of coffee with the Hawks. Gilbert I have seen both in juniors and at ND, my take is way too unpredictable but Rockford should help.
- D2D

I'm hopeful that the Gus-Seabrook connection that was working pretty well at the end of the year will end up working long-term. Let's Seabrook be a more 4/5 in terms of TOI instead of a full time top 4, allows Gus to be sheltered / optimized ala Leddy, and means the Hawks can focus on the actual area of weakness when it comes to the defense: the top 4. And if Gus doesn't work out, they have more options in-system for the bottom pair so no extra cap space need be wasted on the b2.

As for Forsling, I'm still optimistic he's going to put it altogether. His path to the NHL is pretty similar to Hjammer. Both played for their WJC teams U18 and U20, then played 2 more seasons in Sweden after they were drafted, and finally split time between AHL-NHL for two seasons. Hjammer went on to play his first full NHL season at age 22, the same age Forsling is now. And like Hjammer, Forsling's biggest issue is consistency, though Hjammer was already more defense-first kind of guy imo. So, hopefully, this similar pattern continues and this is the season that Forsling breaks out. Too bad Carlsson isn't a RD cause it's be cool if the Hawks could have another Swedish shutdown pair in the near future.

The rest, Idk when or if they'll impact. I just think for the first time in a while, the Hawks have decent age appropriate options for promotion from within the org. That does not mean I don't want them looking for upgrades elsewhere, just that they're in a better position in terms of viable defense prospects for the first time in a while.

I'm hopeful that the Gus-Seabrook connection that was working pretty well at the end of the year will end up working long-term. Let's Seabrook be a more 4/5 in terms of TOI instead of a full time top 4, allows Gus to be sheltered / optimized ala Leddy, and means the Hawks can focus on the actual area of weakness when it comes to the defense: the top 4. And if Gus doesn't work out, they have more options in-system for the bottom pair so no extra cap space need be wasted on the b2.

As for Forsling, I'm still optimistic he's going to put it altogether. His path to the NHL is pretty similar to Hjammer. Both played for their WJC teams U18 and U20, then played 2 more seasons in Sweden after they were drafted, and finally split time between AHL-NHL for two seasons. Hjammer went on to play his first full NHL season at age 22, the same age Forsling is now. And like Hjammer, Forsling's biggest issue is consistency, though Hjammer was already more defense-first kind of guy imo. So, hopefully, this similar pattern continues and this is the season that Forsling breaks out. Too bad Carlsson isn't a RD cause it's be cool if the Hawks could have another Swedish shutdown pair in the near future.

The rest, Idk when or if they'll impact. I just think for the first time in a while, the Hawks have decent age appropriate options for promotion from within the org. That does not mean I don't want them looking for upgrades elsewhere, just that they're in a better position in terms of viable defense prospects for the first time in a while.
- L_B_R

I agree with you about Gus and Seabrook. I think they could be that pair that gets the Ozone draws and less Dzone grind.

Are you talking about Campbell V2.0 or V1.0? It was Tallon who signed him (and Hossa), which would help lead to the 2010 Cup. Bowman had nothing to do with Soupy signing in Chicago until you fast forward to a good and washed up Soupy in 2017,
- kwolf68

Tallon did sign Campbell. Hossa was Bowman. Tallon wanted to re-sign Havlat if the stories from around that period are true.

Tallon did sign Campbell. Hossa was Bowman. Tallon wanted to re-sign Havlat if the stories from around that period are true.
- Elbows15

Scott bowman not stan bowman got hossa

Hawks make 2019 playoffs IF.

1) Crawford is healthy and plays 50 games

2) Hawks add John Moore and Calvin De Haan. While not stars, Moore/DeHaan > >Gustafson/Forsling/Oesterle

3) Hawks add a middle 6 Winger winger with size

4) Saad + Toews remember how to handle the puck, create consistent offense, and put it past the goaltender more often.

5) Debrincat and Schmaltz are at least as good as last year with 50+ points each

6) Seabrook and Keith get back to at least 2016 form

7) Rutta looks like he did the first 20 games last year but for the entire year

8) Hayden + Martinsen provide grit on the bottom line

9) Hinostroza drives offense on whatever ends up being line 3

10) Q picks 6 Dmen and plays them consistently. No more 8 man rotation BS.

11) someone steps up to be a reliable and consistent 4C


LOTS of IFs people....

Agreed with your stance on Walstrom but in today's game and assuming everything is equal with Walstrom's and Boquist production, I would say boquist would have more of an positive impact and more valuable. Top D's can flat out control games ala Doughty, Hedman, Subban/Josi, etc
- D2D

And every single one of those guys is at least 6’0” 200# or more, wins board battles on both ends, clears the crease, and can/will put you through the glass.

We don’t have ONE PAIR, let alone one guy, on any roster that is or projects with those attributes between two guys. We are the softest blueline in the league, to go with the softest forward group in the league. That is a BIG problem.

And for those who think the game is moving away from tough physical play did not watch the last four teams in the Cup run this year.

And every single one of those guys is at least 6’0” 200# or more, wins board battles on both ends, clears the crease, and can/will put you through the glass.

We don’t have ONE PAIR, let alone one guy, on any roster that is or projects with those attributes. We are the softest blueline in the league, to go with the softest forward group in the league. That is a BIG problem.

And for those who think the game is moving away from tough physical play did not watch the last four teams in the Cup run this year.
- Return of the Roar

Per Powers at The Athletic (not surprising, but disappointing)

The​ Blackhawks​ are unlikely to​ sign pending​ unrestricted​ free​ agent​ James van​ Riemsdyk,​​ multiple sources told The Athletic.

The Blackhawks did inquire about van Riemsdyk this week during the interview period but likely aren’t able to match what other teams are willing to offer.

https://theathletic.com/4...nancial-league-as-of-now/

And it's not like the Hawks prospects are devoid of size. They don't have many huge guys like Philly but they've got some tall guys who have decent weight.

Signed:
Dahlström (23) 6'4" 230
Gilbert (21) 6'2" 220
Tuulola (22) 6'1" 198
Raddysh (21) 6'0" 200
Hillman (22) 6'1" 195
Carlsson (20) 6'0" 190
Snuggerd (21) 6'0" 190
Forsling (22) 6'0" 186
Jokiharju (19) 6′ 0″ 185

Not Signed:
Laavainen (19) 6'0" 201
Shea (21) 6'1" 188
Krys (20) 6'0" 185

In comparison to the 2013 team's defenders, these guys fit right in: Keith 6'0" 192, Oduya 6'0" 193, Hjammer 6'3" 195, Leddy 6'0" 198, Rozsival 6'2" 210, and Seabrook 6'3" 220.

Obviously some of the higher touted guys are smaller (and some of the youngest) - Boqvist (5'11", 170), Mitchell (5'11", 180), Beaudin (5'11", 172) - but that doesn't mean the Hawks only select small d-men. No idea if any of these average to bigger guys make it but who knows. As long as there is a good mix and all of them selected for the team are useful, then people shouldn't be quite so worried about size of the defense down the line. Couple of Gilberts mixed it with the Mitchell's and they'll be fine.
- L_B_R

Just because a player has size its whether or not he or she has that fight within that person that grit that edge nastiness physical play the willingness to do what ever needs to be done to win. Its not the size of the dog but the bite in the dog plus the culture of the team. What i m saying is a player could be 6 4 230 and still play like a 5 8 midget.

Per Powers at The Athletic (not surprising, but disappointing)

The​ Blackhawks​ are unlikely to​ sign pending​ unrestricted​ free​ agent​ James van​ Riemsdyk,​​ multiple sources told The Athletic.

The Blackhawks did inquire about van Riemsdyk this week during the interview period but likely aren’t able to match what other teams are willing to offer.

https://theathletic.com/4...nancial-league-as-of-now/
- pdx2ord

You know what’s better than a PR UFA signing? A PR rumor that they were going to sign JVR. Lol thank goodness.

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

I think people are confused....the Hawks are after Justin Falk, not Justin Faulk. Although I can understand the mistake.

And every single one of those guys is at least 6’0” 200# or more, wins board battles on both ends, clears the crease, and can/will put you through the glass.

We don’t have ONE PAIR, let alone one guy, on any roster that is or projects with those attributes between two guys. We are the softest blueline in the league, to go with the softest forward group in the league. That is a BIG problem.

And for those who think the game is moving away from tough physical play did not watch the last four teams in the Cup run this year.
- Return of the Roar

Anyone who claims the cup can be won only one way is being dumb, period. That includes people who think fast/skill OR big/physical are each the only way. It is true, though, that the league has been getting smaller over time but this hyper focus on size is silly to me. It's not always about size, but how you use it or compensate if you don't have it.

Outside of the two Kings teams and the Bruins, the rest of the cup winners since 2010 have all had overall average d-cores (went by playoff roster for anyone who played at least half the games). And the Kings/Bruins were skewed by one player - the rest of their defense drops to 202/3 for the Kings, 204 for the Bruins without them.

2018 Caps 202
2017 Pens 198
2016 Pens 202
2015 Hawks 201
2014 Kings 208
2013 Hawks 201
2012 Kings 209
2011 Bruins 212
2010 Hawks 204

And if you factor in forwards, only the Kings and Caps were all that big - 212, 208, and 209 respectfully. Pens and Hawks were some of the smallest overall teams in the playoffs (sub 200) and even the Bruins forward group was pretty average under 200. Vegas' defense btw was 203 with a forward core of 202. Not big but not small.

As for the d-men mention, obvs Hedman is huge and Subban big, but Doughty and Josi are 200/1 so it's not like they're hulking beasts - they're almost exactly average weight for d-men in the NHL. Other top d-men aren't so big like Karlsson, Klingberg, Giordano, Suter, OEL, Stralman, etc etc. Hell, Lidström wasn't all that big. Some of those guys like Hedman and Doughty are physical as hell, big or average, but others are top guys because they control games through their skill.

So honestly, I think focusing on size/weight is silly because most teams who have been successful have a balance to them. I totally do agree that the defense and forwards for the Hawks need to be tougher / harder to play against in general, but that doesn't have to mean "be bigger" necessarily. Speed and skill with the right mix of physical players works just as well as big and physical with the right mix of skill.

People need to stop hyper focusing on size imo - it's got to be about more than that. The Hawks system has size in it, so again, it's about how it's used and/or compliments the skil. Balance is key. The Hawks don't have that right now but imo they do have some good pieces in place to build around and/or develop into something. May never get there, but we won't know for sure until the season actually gets underway though. Just need to move on from comparing Richards with the rest of the league already lol.

//end novel

Just because a player has size its whether or not he or she has that fight within that person that grit that edge nastiness physical play the willingness to do what ever needs to be done to win. Its not the size of the dog but the bite in the dog plus the culture of the team. What i m saying is a player could be 6 4 230 and still play like a 5 8 midget.
- Scott1977

I agree completely, but that's why I keep saying size isn't all that matters. Shaw was tiny but serious, Stalberg was big but meek. Put them on the same line and they work, though.

Just pointing out the Hawks do have the size quality in the system some of the posters here are looking for (and don't just collect small d-men), so now they just need to find the right mix that uses the size/skill correctly imo. Easier said than done, though.

Hawks make 2019 playoffs IF.

1) Crawford is healthy and plays 50 games

2) Hawks add John Moore and Calvin De Haan. While not stars, Moore/DeHaan > >Gustafson/Forsling/Oesterle

3) Hawks add a middle 6 Winger winger with size

4) Saad + Toews remember how to handle the puck, create consistent offense, and put it past the goaltender more often.

5) Debrincat and Schmaltz are at least as good as last year with 50+ points each

6) Seabrook and Keith get back to at least 2016 form

7) Rutta looks like he did the first 20 games last year but for the entire year

8) Hayden + Martinsen provide grit on the bottom line

9) Hinostroza drives offense on whatever ends up being line 3

10) Q picks 6 Dmen and plays them consistently. No more 8 man rotation BS.

11) someone steps up to be a reliable and consistent 4C


LOTS of IFs people....
- EnzoD

The 8 man rotation is the woooooorst.

I think Forsling could surprise. I'd settle for Keith 2017 form.