That seems to be a trend in the NHL. Guys exceed the value of their ELCs but then get a contract that is a bit over priced for what they bring. Can't overpay too many guys, and the Blackhawks have a couple/few on the roster who are overpaid (7, 16, 19, maybe 15, possibly 88 but not by much.)
- matt_ahrens

Kane is most definitely not overpaid. Still produces as one of the top players in the league.
Anisimov is exactly where he should be based on where he plays his minutes and production.
Seabrook is both over paid and has too much term on his deal.
Kruger is overpaid, but his deal is expiring
Toews based on this years production is comparable or better than others in the same range, probably slightly overpaid.

This is where cups of coffee for Carlsson or Hillman might be in the cards to see what either have to offer and what they need to improve once they get sent down again.

There's Raddysh but I'd rather not; he's not strong in his own end and the Hawks already have an offensively gifted yet defensively deficient D-man in Gustafsson. At least Carlsson and Hillman are more so in the defensive defensemen mold.
- AEL_Fox

I would agree. I think Carlsson or Hillman should be the call if need be. I thought about Raddysh too, but I've heard the same things about his game. I kinda would rather see Hillman get the shot since he's purely a Defensive D-Man which the Hawks could use right now and it gives Carlsson even more prominent playing time in Rockford to develop his game.

Very well explained and very realistic and honest.

Your absolutely correct Chicago's only path for a top 6 potential is by moving Keith for a cheap promising young player who doesn't break the bank.


As far as free agency Stan was blowing smoke up people's behinds as a mere PR stunt when this team was losing game after game.


Reality Seabrook , anisomov would need to be traded just to free up their monies to use towards a panarin, Skinner, stone etc. The 13 million that Chicago will have barely covers the normal signings with no serious free agency splashes.


Crawford is another ? For next season because if he plays that's great he can be a back up to Delia to limit his concussions and should Chicago make the playoffs they have him.


If he is either done or still on concussion protocol his cap hit can't be used and it makes Chicago's plan tricky just like having hossa.
- Taylorst1

That statement is completely false. With Kuntiz, Kruger,Ward and their $7mil off the books plus the $4+ mil they are under the cap and whatever it goes up, the Hawks will have money to sign a major FA if they choose. There is no-one on their roster who is due a big contract next year. Kampf, Perlini, Dahlstrom if they stay may get very slight raises.

Exactly what "normal signings" are taking up that $13 mil?

I have to say, that while Kane was still producing, he was in a bit of a funk after JC came in. Lately, he has stepped it up and especially the playmaking and passing. He always gets some points because of how much he handles the puck, but lately if feels like he is making a bigger impact and it's clicking.

https://www.secondcityhoc...-chad-krys-lucas-carlsson

Second City Hockey's next set of Top 25 Under 25 (16-20) is heavy on the Euros especially Swedes + a Connecticut native in Krys:

25, Kayumov
24, Hayden
23, Hagel
22, Soderlund
21, Hillman

20, Carlsson
19, Forsling
18, Nordgren
17, Krys
16, Dahlstrom

Maybe Joki will be taking Keith's spot tomorrow if he can't go.


Mark Lazerus
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@MarkLazerus
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Colliton is indeed experimenting with the idea of having Henri Jokiharju on the left side. Likes the idea of making him more versatile and maximizing the lineup. Jokiharju told me he's played the left side a game or two in his career, but never long-term. He's open to it, though.

Very well explained and very realistic and honest.

Your absolutely correct Chicago's only path for a top 6 potential is by moving Keith for a cheap promising young player who doesn't break the bank.


As far as free agency Stan was blowing smoke up people's behinds as a mere PR stunt when this team was losing game after game.


Reality Seabrook , anisomov would need to be traded just to free up their monies to use towards a panarin, Skinner, stone etc. The 13 million that Chicago will have barely covers the normal signings with no serious free agency splashes.


Crawford is another ? For next season because if he plays that's great he can be a back up to Delia to limit his concussions and should Chicago make the playoffs they have him.


If he is either done or still on concussion protocol his cap hit can't be used and it makes Chicago's plan tricky just like having hossa.
- Taylorst1

Not sure why you feel it's important to free up cap space or sign guys older thn 24? Cap space is not an issue for a rebuild. The Hawks are not a player or three away from contending again, they are a rebuild away. Skinner, Stone or Panarin should uner no circumstances be signed. Why? Because there are too many holes elsewhere for an addition of say a Panarin to do anything other than make the Hawks a possible playoff contender but no where close to a cup contender. The Hawks should be looking for good prospects or roster player no older than 23 or 24 or they become nothing more than a mediocre team.

I have to say, that while Kane was still producing, he was in a bit of a funk after JC came in. Lately, he has stepped it up and especially the playmaking and passing. He always gets some points because of how much he handles the puck, but lately if feels like he is making a bigger impact and it's clicking.
- breadbag

It also helps that Colliton put him with Strome (as good a center as he’s had here) and Anisimov (whom he always had good chemistry with); and with the blest on the team” with him him on the PP - Strome, Toews, AdB, and Gustafsson.

As Kane unquestionable make his line mates better, they also give him good targets for his playmaking.

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2019/1/11/18176848/blackhawks-prospect-rankings-2019-top-25-under-25-carl-dahlstrom-chad-krys-lucas-carlsson

Second City Hockey's next set of Top 25 Under 25 (16-20) is heavy on the Euros especially Swedes + a Connecticut native in Krys:

25, Kayumov
24, Hayden
23, Hagel
22, Soderlund
21, Hillman

20, Carlsson
19, Forsling
18, Nordgren
17, Krys
16, Dahlstrom
- AEL_Fox

Interesting that both Krys and Dahlstrom rank about Forsling and Carlsson on this list. I know its one sites opinion, but many have considered those two to be more likely to stick than either of Krys or Dahlstrom. Shows the depth that do have on the team though on the backend which could help the team out in a trade at some point

I agree completely with your point. Anismov isn't worth holding onto , if you look at his time here he has had lots of injuries not sure what some people are missing.


Saad and Keith carry the most value in terms of any return.

I'm just curious , but I thought I read somewhere Chicago was pondering the idea of sliding boyquist into a winger role?
- Taylorst1

Believe that London wanted to try him out as a winger and, after consultation with Chicago, left him as a D man.

Maybe Joki will be taking Keith's spot tomorrow if he can't go.


Mark Lazerus
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@MarkLazerus
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Colliton is indeed experimenting with the idea of having Henri Jokiharju on the left side. Likes the idea of making him more versatile and maximizing the lineup. Jokiharju told me he's played the left side a game or two in his career, but never long-term. He's open to it, though.
- breadbag

Okay, well I mean I guess its worth a shot to see how he can to do make him more versatile in the Hawks soon to be crowded backend on D. Idk how I feel about doing that to the kid right after he's coming off the Juniors, where he played very well, with the goal being for that to happen to boost his confidence, but what happens if they try him there and he struggles? Aren't you just at square one again? I wouldn't mind seeing him practice there here and there to get more comfortable there and maybe at the end of the season give it a shot or give him a full offseason of practicing both sides so you can try it out next year

I have to say, that while Kane was still producing, he was in a bit of a funk after JC came in. Lately, he has stepped it up and especially the playmaking and passing. He always gets some points because of how much he handles the puck, but lately if feels like he is making a bigger impact and it's clicking.
- breadbag

His eye rolling when JC was giving the pre-game rundown at Notre Dame in Road to ep 3 was epic. Quite likely NHL just edited it that way, but it was hilarious. I've not gotten the impression at other times that Kane has no patience for the new coach. I do agree he was really down after Q left. Blamed himself, in part.

Not sure why you feel it's important to free up cap space or sign guys older thn 24? Cap space is not an issue for a rebuild. The Hawks are not a player or three away from contending again, they are a rebuild away. Skinner, Stone or Panarin should uner no circumstances be signed. Why? Because there are too many holes elsewhere for an addition of say a Panarin to do anything other than make the Hawks a possible playoff contender but no where close to a cup contender. The Hawks should be looking for good prospects or roster player no older than 23 or 24 or they become nothing more than a mediocre team.
- paulr

Why? I get that we have some holes, but with Toews, Kane, DCat, Saad, and Strome we've got 5/6 of a Top 6 and are in need of at least one more top flight guy to round it out with a BOATLOAD of prospects who have either shown promise already or potential to fill out the bottom six spots on the roster. Our Defense is our weakest point right now, but again we're loaded with prospects on the backend with a few highend ones that could be here sooner rather than later.

Idk about you or anyone else, I don't see this as a rebuild. That would imply trading everyone and building it from the ground up again like they did to begin with. They have pieces in place now. They need to fill out around them. Which is why it's more of a re-tool if you want to put a label on it. Adding another elite scorer would be key move to improve the team. I'd rather not have them go out and bargain shop in FA for guys (everyone enjoying that Kunitz signing? Or how about having Jay Beagle or Antoine Roussel's contracts on the books the next few years? Cuz that's where you'd be looking to add talent at) or overpay for Defensive help when we already have big contracts for Keith, Seabrook, and Murphy on the books and several prospects who appear to have NHL talent.

I'm just saying the one thing they're really missing on the team or in the pipeline is an impact forward. They could POSSIBLY get two this offseason if the get a Top Draft pick and can sign one of the FAs out there. Just my two cents

FWIW, here's a link to the Hockey Buzz Toronto blogger. The 2nd half of his article is his take as to what the Leafs would have to give up for Chris Tanev or Alex Pietroangelo. No mention of Keith.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...Leafs-vs-Devils/120/97069
- boilermaker100

I meant the posters on the hawks blog

His eye rolling when JC was giving the pre-game rundown at Notre Dame in Road to ep 3 was epic. Quite likely NHL just edited it that way, but it was hilarious. I've not gotten the impression at other times that Kane has no patience for the new coach. I do agree he was really down after Q left. Blamed himself, in part.
- pdx2ord

I think he did take it hard. I guess my point was, kudos to Kane for how well he is playing right now. He just seems to over whatever the issue ways IMO.

Isn't any chatter about Keith to Toronto anywhere except on this site. It's from the guys that want to believe that Keith can fetch a good young player and a high draft pick from Toronto there just isn't fit there they don't need Duncan Keith he's not any good anymore
- GPHawksfan

with you. GP. his value is minimal, even when indulge in this legal draw in Canada I snicker and giggle at talk of him fetching a first or even second rounder.

Hardly. He isn't prime DK anymore but what you are saying simple isn't true. Do you have him confused with Seabrook?
- bhawks2241

No I don't have him confused. I think you do with Keith of 2015. This version of Keith is dog poop and isn't getting a big return in trade. You can yap about all you want but it isn't going to happen.

No I don't have him confused. I think you do with Keith of 2015. This version of Keith is dog poop and isn't getting a big return in trade. You can yap about all you want but it isn't going to happen.
- GPHawksfan

I'm not getting into this debate about Keith's play, and while I don't think his value is as high as some people do, if the Hawks can get a late 1st Rd pick, a 4th Rd pick, and a mid level prospect for Ryan Hartman they sure as heck can get AT LEAST that for Keith IF they moved him which I just don't see happening

I think he did take it hard. I guess my point was, kudos to Kane for how well he is playing right now. He just seems to over whatever the issue ways IMO.
- breadbag

Oh, most definitely. He really seems to be having fun these days.

No I don't have him confused. I think you do with Keith of 2015. This version of Keith is dog poop and isn't getting a big return in trade. You can yap about all you want but it isn't going to happen.
- GPHawksfan

Nobody really knows what he's worth until he's traded...then we'll know. Maybe some teams out there think like you. Others might think he's a top 2 still. So, all this back and forth just needs to stop if/when he is traded.

But continue complaining about how bad he is...that is your opinion and you are entitled to express it.

(By the way, Keith isn't as bad as you think but is still much better than Seabrook currently.)

No I don't have him confused. I think you do with Keith of 2015. This version of Keith is dog poop and isn't getting a big return in trade. You can yap about all you want but it isn't going to happen.
- GPHawksfan

You're entitled to your opinion but so am I and although I readily admit Keith isn't a true #1 d-man anymore because both his defensive and offensive play have declined from a few years ago - he is still skates well and is a pretty good defender. He would be a solid upgrade as a top-4 defender on most Cup contending teams - including Toronto. Play him 5v5 and PK and he improves Toronto's chances to win the Cup.

I don't think Keith would command a 1st and a prospect because he's 35 with 4 years remaining but I don't think it's unreasonable to think he would net a good young player in return, especially given the cap situation Toronto will be facing this summer.

His eye rolling when JC was giving the pre-game rundown at Notre Dame in Road to ep 3 was epic. Quite likely NHL just edited it that way, but it was hilarious. I've not gotten the impression at other times that Kane has no patience for the new coach. I do agree he was really down after Q left. Blamed himself, in part.
- pdx2ord

I think the older guys are warming up to him. Keith was the guy I thought wouldn't like him, and when Keith scored his first goal, he and JC were talking and laughing on the bench. Keith's shot even looks better after that goal.

I think the older guys are warming up to him. Keith was the guy I thought wouldn't like him, and when Keith scored his first goal, he and JC were talking and laughing on the bench. Keith's shot even looks better after that goal.
- I Am The Breadman

Maybe they have been working with Keith on his shooting or got something going on to help him. If they could get him more effective at getting the puck on net it will only help the team.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=97092

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2019/1/11/18176848/blackhawks-prospect-rankings-2019-top-25-under-25-carl-dahlstrom-chad-krys-lucas-carlsson

Second City Hockey's next set of Top 25 Under 25 (16-20) is heavy on the Euros especially Swedes + a Connecticut native in Krys:

25, Kayumov
24, Hayden
23, Hagel
22, Soderlund
21, Hillman

20, Carlsson
19, Forsling
18, Nordgren
17, Krys
16, Dahlstrom
- AEL_Fox

A new batch of 5, and almost all defense. I can't remember if this is a bump up for Dahlstrom or where he ended up last ranking? From watching him play with Murphy, I think he could have done a little better in ranking, even if he doesn't score.