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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Exploratory Season
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Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 6:30 AM ET
With all due respect Scott, AA is not getting a 1st rounder in return.

He is currently on the 4th line.

- Justin Lowe

lol I'm not even sure we could get a ball of lint for AA
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 6:36 AM ET
Something along the lines of:

Panarin-Hughes-Kane
Cat-Strome-XXX
Saad-Toews-XXX

...Would be an incredible starting point for the top 9 of our foreseeable future

- SimpleJack




I'd make a couple of changes

Panarin-Hughes-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Kahun
Dzingel-Toews-Stone
Drake-Kadri-kampf

Hillman-Johki
Beaudin-boqvist
Dalstrom-Murphy

Delia
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 6:45 AM ET
Speaking of being disappointed..
- Elbows15



I think it's realistic to say that Stan is on the hot seat , and between now and next November he has to show accomplishments to build depth and get this team to at least a playoff team. He got his wish by firing coach Q and replacing him with colliton.

bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Jan 24 @ 7:11 AM ET
so was Verrmette!!
- Scott1977


hmm the vermette vs arte comparison

both centers
age: 32 vs 30
contract: UFA vs 2 yrs left
$$ per year: 3.75 vs 4.5
vermette had 13 goials and 22 assists (63 gmes); currently arte has 8 goals, 14 assists (47 games)

stanbow paid a steep price for a cup run: 2015 first-round draft pick and defense prospect Klas Dahlbeck (currently playing in russia)

i would not rule out a #1 pick for arte but salary retention might be required unless the hawks throw in another player

powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Jan 24 @ 7:51 AM ET
lol I'm not even sure we could get a ball of lint for AA
- Taylorst1


People really don't understand hockey with comments like this when talking about a player like AA. In the playoffs, what kind of goals usually win games? Ugly goals scored 5 - 10 ft from the goal. AA will not flash you with break-away speed, but he does all the dirty work. A smart GM will see this and pay a prince for that kind of player for a playoff push.

It's up to the Blackhawks organization to make the correct play.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Jan 24 @ 8:02 AM ET
Yes they have.
- DarthKane

The king of sarcasm missed that one.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Jan 24 @ 8:10 AM ET
I'd make a couple of changes

Panarin-Hughes-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Kahun
Dzingel-Toews-Stone
Drake-Kadri-kampf

Hillman-Johki
Beaudin-boqvist
Dalstrom-Murphy

Delia

- Taylorst1


Delia is ways away from proving he deserves a full time NHL gig, let alone being the starter.

Three rookies and a sophomore with a half a season under his belt in your top two defensive pairings? You realize there will be many painful nights for at least 2 seasons, assuming they all are able to make the team next year. Boqvist is coming along nicely in London but he's not ready to be a top four guy and Beaudin is behind him in terms of development. Add to that some here will be horrified about their average size.

That defense negates the signing of Panarin who can't help the club rise to even a playoff contender with such a green defense.

And Toews and Kanes become one, maybe two years older, as the team waits for the defense to become NHL calibre .......
resqmed99
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2007

Jan 24 @ 8:16 AM ET
Who would you rather have on defense: Gus or Leddy? Both are speedy, have nice passing and decent shots (better than Keith's) on the PP. Both have defensive lapses.

What say you?
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Jan 24 @ 8:24 AM ET
I'd make a couple of changes

Panarin-Hughes-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Kahun
Dzingel-Toews-Stone
Drake-Kadri-kampf

Hillman-Johki
Beaudin-boqvist
Dalstrom-Murphy

Delia

- Taylorst1


Swap Toews and Kadri.
StutzBlackhawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: LaGrange, IL
Joined: 10.31.2016

Jan 24 @ 8:53 AM ET
Hawks could have a Russian Vodka night
- glennjpawlak22


Sponsored by the Wirtz Beverage Corp
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Jan 24 @ 9:01 AM ET
People really don't understand hockey with comments like this when talking about a player like AA. In the playoffs, what kind of goals usually win games? Ugly goals scored 5 - 10 ft from the goal. AA will not flash you with break-away speed, but he does all the dirty work. A smart GM will see this and pay a prince for that kind of player for a playoff push.

It's up to the Blackhawks organization to make the correct play.

- powerenforcer


You are correct but still no team should be bereft of a first round choice for a slow but valuable veteran center.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Jan 24 @ 9:06 AM ET
Who would you rather have on defense: Gus or Leddy? Both are speedy, have nice passing and decent shots (better than Keith's) on the PP. Both have defensive lapses.

What say you?

- resqmed99

Depends upon your salary cap because one comes cheap and the other is pricy. I like Leddy but not paying a ransom to him or for him.

That being said, I am somewhat uneasy wondering just how much better and consistent Gus performs defensively in two years
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 9:38 AM ET
People really don't understand hockey with comments like this when talking about a player like AA. In the playoffs, what kind of goals usually win games? Ugly goals scored 5 - 10 ft from the goal. AA will not flash you with break-away speed, but he does all the dirty work. A smart GM will see this and pay a prince for that kind of player for a playoff push.

It's up to the Blackhawks organization to make the correct play.

- powerenforcer




The definition of ignorance is fantasy ideas and no clear knowledge of facts.

AA is horrible , his stats speak to how bad he is and it's clear by playing on the 4th line Chicago does not feel like he is living up to his value of his contract or commitment.



Please if your going to comment have some facts laid out instead of being so ignorant to facts and reality
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Jan 24 @ 9:41 AM ET
The definition of ignorance is fantasy ideas and no clear knowledge of facts.

AA is horrible , his stats speak to how bad he is and it's clear by playing on the 4th line Chicago does not feel like he is living up to his value of his contract or commitment.



Please if your going to comment have some facts laid out instead of being so ignorant to facts and reality

- Taylorst1


Regular season and playoff hockey are worlds apart. Stats are great for discussion, but not the entire story. So let's leave it at that.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Jan 24 @ 9:44 AM ET
People really don't understand hockey with comments like this when talking about a player like AA. In the playoffs, what kind of goals usually win games? Ugly goals scored 5 - 10 ft from the goal. AA will not flash you with break-away speed, but he does all the dirty work. A smart GM will see this and pay a prince for that kind of player for a playoff push.

It's up to the Blackhawks organization to make the correct play.

- powerenforcer

I agree, a guy like AA will be valuable to a team a team during the playoffs. He is resonable offensively and defensively, he will go to the net and if needed he can play in the top 6 for an injury. He can also play on the powerplay and kill the odd penalty. The only issue is that he has two more years of term. That will make it hard to move him.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 9:45 AM ET
Delia is ways away from proving he deserves a full time NHL gig, let alone being the starter.

Three rookies and a sophomore with a half a season under his belt in your top two defensive pairings? You realize there will be many painful nights for at least 2 seasons, assuming they all are able to make the team next year. Boqvist is coming along nicely in London but he's not ready to be a top four guy and Beaudin is behind him in terms of development. Add to that some here will be horrified about their average size.

That defense negates the signing of Panarin who can't help the club rise to even a playoff contender with such a green defense.

And Toews and Kanes become one, maybe two years older, as the team waits for the defense to become NHL calibre .......

- paulr


I'll take this line up including the rookie Delia in net over anything the hawks currently have a great puck possession offense can minimize any defensive lapses.

You do realize that those 4 lines all can produce .

Your also putting to much emphasis on a old school mentality that those defenseman wont be ready or able to rise to tge occasion.

Confidence goes along way in any team including guys who would have under achieved

Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 9:49 AM ET
Swap Toews and Kadri.
- DarthKane



Kadri just had a hat trick last night . If Chicago does trade with Toronto id be happy ifmthemreturn was kadri. He is 28 solid numbers , 6ft 195 pounds 53% on the face offs.
333inthe3rd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 02.04.2015

Jan 24 @ 9:53 AM ET
Paradoxically, what will make Anisimov harder to move at the deadline is the two years remaining on his contract after this year.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

Jan 24 @ 9:54 AM ET
Gus has become such a whipping boy. He makes mistakes, but he does make some positive plays. It does kind of balance out. He doesn't have a bad contract. His offensive numbers are comparable to Brian Campbell the year he came over on that monster contract. He has some chemistry with Kane with is benefiting both players offensively.

He needs to do better in the Dzone. Mostly needing to simply his game and try to do less individual play to move the puck. Let the coaching staff work with him and see what happens, unless you get a good offer for a trade. He will have trade value. There are plenty of offensive dman that are bad in their own end, but teams still want them and pay them. As Hawks fans, we've been spoiled in the past because we had some really high end 2 way players, but that type of blue line isn't easy to put together. Beggars can't be choosers and we don't have much real offensive push on the back end.

Gus needs to stay as the fixture on the PP, because he is the best option for it. Jokiharju is 19 year old and playing his first Pro season. He has had a great start to his career, but he is a rookie and there have been signs of him showing some of those rookie mistakes. The Hawks know they don't need to lump even more responsibility on his shoulders until he is ready. Let him get his feet wet this season. Confidence is important for young guys and they don't want to put him in over his head.

Realistically, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, etc.. aren't likely to step in and save the team next season. 1 or 2 of those guys might start playing NHL minutes, but it is going to take time (if they pan out).

Just getting back to it...Gus makes mistakes, but he also actually drives some offense. Some of our other guys make a lot of mistakes too but don't provide the offensive support and they are paid to be the top guys.

- breadbag


Powers at The Athletic had a nice piece about the pros and cons of trading Gus. Indeed a tough call. Couple snippets:

Gustafsson has been one of the better offensive defensemen in the league this season.

In all strengths per 60 minutes, he’s 13th among defensemen in goals, 23rd in total assists, tied for 16th in primary assists and 17th in total points. He’s especially been effective on the power play. Over the last 13 games, he’s had two goals and seven assists on the power play.

The fact the Blackhawks are finally getting their power play going shouldn’t be downplayed. It’s struggled more often than it’s worked in recent years, and it’s now keeping them in games. Gustafsson has played a major role in that. Plus, no other Blackhawks defenseman has had as much success in that area.

It’s not by chance Gustafsson has the second worst on-ice rate of scoring chances against and high-danger chances against per 60 minutes among defensemen in the league (minimum 300 minutes). It’s often his decision-making in the defensive zone that puts the Blackhawks in those predicaments.

Another team might be able to hide a player like Gustafsson. For the Blackhawks, they have too many defensive liabilities among their forwards and defensemen to cover up already. As a team, they’re among the three worst teams in goals against, shots against, scoring chances against and high-danger chances against per 60 minutes in 5-on-5 play. Gustafsson’s play factors into that, but there are other issues as well.


Powers goes on to say that the Hawks would look at Boqvist to run the PP when he gets here and that Beaudin and Mitchell add the same offensive skills as Gus, Joki probably too, but they won't be ready to do that next yr. If the Hawks look to win next yr Gus on the PP will help that.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Jan 24 @ 10:01 AM ET
Powers at The Athletic had a nice piece about the pros and cons of trading Gus. Indeed a tough call. Couple snippets:

Gustafsson has been one of the better offensive defensemen in the league this season.

In all strengths per 60 minutes, he’s 13th among defensemen in goals, 23rd in total assists, tied for 16th in primary assists and 17th in total points. He’s especially been effective on the power play. Over the last 13 games, he’s had two goals and seven assists on the power play.

The fact the Blackhawks are finally getting their power play going shouldn’t be downplayed. It’s struggled more often than it’s worked in recent years, and it’s now keeping them in games. Gustafsson has played a major role in that. Plus, no other Blackhawks defenseman has had as much success in that area.

It’s not by chance Gustafsson has the second worst on-ice rate of scoring chances against and high-danger chances against per 60 minutes among defensemen in the league (minimum 300 minutes). It’s often his decision-making in the defensive zone that puts the Blackhawks in those predicaments.

Another team might be able to hide a player like Gustafsson. For the Blackhawks, they have too many defensive liabilities among their forwards and defensemen to cover up already. As a team, they’re among the three worst teams in goals against, shots against, scoring chances against and high-danger chances against per 60 minutes in 5-on-5 play. Gustafsson’s play factors into that, but there are other issues as well.


Powers goes on to say that the Hawks would look at Boqvist to run the PP when he gets here and that Beaudin and Mitchell add the same offensive skills as Gus, Joki probably too, but they won't be ready to do that next yr. If the Hawks look to win next yr Gus on the PP will help that.

- Mr Ricochet


I heard the same thing yesterday, they felt boyquist would make the team next year and he could run the powerplay.


Their was also chatter about a defenseman getting moved and these trades where likely to happen right after the all star break.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Jan 24 @ 10:02 AM ET
Who would you rather have on defense: Gus or Leddy? Both are speedy, have nice passing and decent shots (better than Keith's) on the PP. Both have defensive lapses.

What say you?

- resqmed99



Interesting you bring that up. Last year Leddy was a minus 42 (and was a minus the 2 previous years). This year so far a plus 3.
Last year Karlsson was a minus 25. This year a plus 5.
What changed? Coaching. System. Culture.

These are guys older than Gus and with much more experience that have improved their defensive stats dramatically with only a slight decline in their offensive numbers. So there still is hope for Gus.

I am not saying the plus minus is a great stat to judge defenders by. There are many things that affect that. But I think it is easy to see that a defender can adapt to a system and go from a defensive liability to being a decent defensive player.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 24 @ 10:13 AM ET
For obvious reasons Taylor Raddysh from TB.

I'd like to see the Hawks trade Ward, Krueger, Kunitz, Forsling and Saad. I'd do a straight up Forsling for Raddysh trade but doubt TB would take on that project and i doubt his ceiling is much higher than what he's already shown.

- Hawksfan74


He would be a nice pick up to add to our prospect pool with his brother playing for Rockford as well. Promote the Sikura and Raddysh bros playing together. It's a PR guys wet dream but in all seriousness if there was a way to get him and a draft pick for taking say Ryan Callahan for Forsling and Hayden (something like that) I would be in for it. Especially if we're not gonna spend big in FA this year might as well put that money to good use and get some more prospect depth outta it
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Jan 24 @ 10:20 AM ET
I heard the same thing yesterday, they felt boyquist would make the team next year and he could run the powerplay.


Their was also chatter about a defenseman getting moved and these trades where likely to happen right after the all star break.

- Taylorst1

Boqvist looks very good when he has the puck. Without the puck he's very average but improving. He's also adverse to body contact and will on occasion give up the puck to avoid a hit. Remind you of anyone currently on the Blackhawks, without the improving defense part?

Development is essential for any player, especially a defenseman. Boqvsit should spend at least a part of the season in Rockford to learn to play against men.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 24 @ 10:24 AM ET
Regular season and playoff hockey are worlds apart. Stats are great for discussion, but not the entire story. So let's leave it at that.
- powerenforcer


Agreed. Some people look at the numbers or the position a player is in like that's the end all be all to who they are as a player. No one is saying that AA is a Top 6 C. Since the beginning we've know exactly what he is and what he's best suited for. He can play up to be a 2C with really good wingers but is best suited as a 3C who's defensively responsible and goes to the net hard to pick up goals. Playoff teams are ALWAYS looking for that. Hell Pittsburgh is looking for EXACTLY that right now, but with their cap situation there isn't much of a match to be had there. Columbus is looking for the same and I'm sure they would LOVE to add him into the fold with his old buddy Panarin to get him to resign and stay.

GMs don't just look at the numbers, or how flashy a guy plays they look for specific traits that they feel they need to add for their team to take the next step. Everyone has their line of what they are willing to pay to get that. Someone brought up the Vermette comparison to what we paid to get him. At the time no one really though he'd get more than a 2nd for him and maybe a prospect. Stan knew that was what the team needed to take the next step and was willing to pay the price of a late 1st RD pick to get it.

I'm not saying that AA is gonna pull a 1st RD pick, BUT if there are a few teams out there that are interested it could move the return from a 3rd to a 2nd and a decent prospect or a 3rd and a better prospect.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

Jan 24 @ 10:25 AM ET
I heard the same thing yesterday, they felt boyquist would make the team next year and he could run the powerplay.


Their was also chatter about a defenseman getting moved and these trades where likely to happen right after the all star break.

- Taylorst1


Hawks have a glut of Dmen when everyone is healthy, agreeing Seabs is immovable, many are prospects and many are 3rd pairing types, the pipeline is full of them. Add the organIzational weakness is at forward moving a Dman would be dealing from strength.

If you are gonna trade Gus do so when his value is at its peak. But realize you won't replace his PP contribution in house thru next yr in all likelihood.
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