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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Exploratory Season
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SimpleJack
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago , IL
Joined: 05.23.2013

Jan 23 @ 3:04 PM ET
Disagree 100%. The NHL is so even with the Cap that 1-2 key players added, with continued growth from Cat, Strome, Joki, Murphy and the emergence of Mitchell and Boquist....they are a playoff contender. Not a powerhouse, but a wild card team. Anything can happen once you make the tournament
- EnzoD


IMO there’s definitely a difference between playoff contender and Cup contender

While we might be 1-2 players plus added growth and development from current players away from being a playoff team we are MUCH further from contending for the Cup
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Jan 23 @ 3:08 PM ET
The last defenseman that was converted and successful as a forward was John Scott (oh wait), Actually all I can think of was Doug Mohns and Red Kelley. Byfuglein did play forward with the Hawks, and Brett Burns played forward for a while with the Wild, but both are back on defense.
- LAHawk


I hear you, but it won't hurt to try.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Jan 23 @ 3:09 PM ET
Yeah but Kampf isn't better than AA offensively or even defensively at this point.
- Elbows15


Thats not really true. In xGF and corsi as a percentage and corsi related to competition Kamf is better than AA.

The guy suppresses shots, flips the ice and doesn't get pushed off pucks.
nickmo2699
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 01.06.2012

Jan 23 @ 3:09 PM ET
IMO there’s definitely a difference between playoff contender and Cup contender

While we might be 1-2 players plus added growth and development from current players away from being a playoff team we are MUCH further from contending for the Cup

- SimpleJack


Exactly
TrueGrit
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: FL
Joined: 07.19.2011

Jan 23 @ 3:12 PM ET
IMO there’s definitely a difference between playoff contender and Cup contender

While we might be 1-2 players plus added growth and development from current players away from being a playoff team we are MUCH further from contending for the Cup

- SimpleJack


Yes and no.

The difference from top to bottom is much narrower than at any point in any sport, ever!

If we all have learned anything from watching sports, especially hockey, is that adding talent helps potential, but the greatest enigma is figuring out how it all works together translating to team performance.

With that said, you still have core lynchpins that have won cups. That is a huge intangible should this team make the playoffs, this year or the next.
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Jan 23 @ 3:12 PM ET
Been saying this for a LONG time. A few key moves and development of some of our young guys and you're in the Playoff picture. Hell they're a five game win streak right now from being in the Playoff picture. Adding better players and continued growth will only get them there faster.

We were spoiled with greatness this past decade and will likely never see that type of dominance again. That was a once in a lifetime situation that several pieces fell into place at the right time to build up a Dynasty. Now, it's about building a solid 23 man roster than can at least fight for a Playoff spot and then see where it goes from there cuz when you have an elite talent like Kane and several talented pieces to go with him you can go on a run and win a cup.

- Savetheembers33


They are nowhere near the playoffs. The NHL gimmick at its best. They're literally one of the worst teams in the league. 7 players away for sure. Some may step up in the next year or two internally but they arent close unless they make a few significant moves and these late round firsts and thirds and fourth round picks become way more impactful then predicted.
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Jan 23 @ 3:12 PM ET
Exactly. Myers reputation is greater than his play. He burst on the scene and won the Calder in 09/10 and hasn't had a better season since then. He's 3 years older than Murphy and will cost a bunch more. All things considered I would trade Murphy for Myers straight up.
- EbonyRaptor


I would agree. Less years, and less money and I would be interested. Paying him for what he will live up to on a 3 or 4 year deal for like 4M would be fair IMO but he's going to be overpaid as most are in FA especially on Defense when there's only a few guys who hit the market.

Not saying he isn't a second pair or third pair D-Man on a good team, and that he wouldn't be an improvement on our back end I just don't see the fit. Especially with how many RHD we already have on the roster
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jan 23 @ 3:19 PM ET
Justin maybe you have answered this question before but do you think hawks will be one of the most aggressive teams at the TDL? As far as trades AA Saad Keith don't trade unless hawks get exactly what they want, Keith I would play him off of teams that have a vert good chance at winning the cup and needs that experience playoff d man similar to Ryan Mcdoung last year.
MNHawk
Location: Richfield, MN
Joined: 07.18.2014

Jan 23 @ 3:27 PM ET
Here are the teams ranked in the bottom half of the league that have a shot/are currently in the playoffs.

Team and their PP percentage.
Dallas 20.6
Carolina 16.8
Toronto 21.5
Buffalo 17.0
NY Islanders 16.7
Nashville 13.3
Columbus 14.6
Anaheim 14.6

Who would Gus help? Who, out of this list, offers Stan a offer he couldn't refuse?
Elbows15
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: I was going to do the math on this but I don't think it will help., IL
Joined: 08.04.2013

Jan 23 @ 3:31 PM ET
Thats not really true. In xGF and corsi as a percentage and corsi related to competition Kamf is better than AA.

The guy suppresses shots, flips the ice and doesn't get pushed off pucks.

- fattybeef

I like Kampf a lot and think he would be ideal as the center of a shutdown line. He is never going to score more than 10 goals, though.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Jan 23 @ 3:34 PM ET
Here are the teams ranked in the bottom half of the league that have a shot/are currently in the playoffs.

Team and their PP percentage.
Dallas 20.6
Carolina 16.8
Toronto 21.5
Buffalo 17.0
NY Islanders 16.7
Nashville 13.3
Columbus 14.6
Anaheim 14.6

Who would Gus help? Who, out of this list, offers Stan a offer he couldn't refuse?

- MNHawk


I'd maybe include as "having a shot" since neither Colorado or Dallas is playing so well that they can't fall in the standings.

Vancouver 17%
Arizona 17.9%
Edmonton is a mess, but only 3 points out. 21.1%
Hell, even the Blues are only 5 points out with a game in hand and sit 19.4%
ChicagoHope
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Lyndon, IL
Joined: 08.13.2007

Jan 23 @ 3:38 PM ET
I like Kampf a lot and think he would be ideal as the center of a shutdown line. He is never going to score more than 10 goals, though.
- Elbows15


Either did Kruger on the dominant Hawks teams.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jan 23 @ 3:41 PM ET
Here are the teams ranked in the bottom half of the league that have a shot/are currently in the playoffs.

Team and their PP percentage.
Dallas 20.6
Carolina 16.8
Toronto 21.5
Buffalo 17.0
NY Islanders 16.7
Nashville 13.3
Columbus 14.6
Anaheim 14.6

Who would Gus help? Who, out of this list, offers Stan a offer he couldn't refuse?

- MNHawk


None of the above, they all have defenseman that can run a power play.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Jan 23 @ 3:47 PM ET
None of the above, they all have defenseman that can run a power play.
- LAHawk


Just playing devil's advocate, bottom half of the league has to mean that something is going wrong on the pp, right? Could be there qb, system, their d man..... I think they could use Gus. But the hawks pp goes so much further than Gus. 4 other lethal weapons.

With that said, I think teams will look for depth and pkers, pk is much more important than pp come playoff time. Well, I think it is.
scottak
Location: I am serious. And don't call me Shirley!
Joined: 08.06.2010

Jan 23 @ 3:50 PM ET



The only way colliton can IMO gain trust and assurance is to bench Keith and Seabrook to give the impression that it's more about rest than punishment.

Keith and Seabrook have their share of mistakes and with a losing season they shouldn't be above reproach

- Taylorst1

I believe Keith and Seabrook are the only two defensemen who haven’t been on the ice for a goal against the last 2 games. They are obviously comfortable playing with each other. I’d let that pair stabalize the rest of the group the remainder of this season.
MNHawk
Location: Richfield, MN
Joined: 07.18.2014

Jan 23 @ 3:51 PM ET
None of the above, they all have defenseman that can run a power play.
- LAHawk


Agreed. However, Nashville's PP is atrocious for the number of chances they get. While Subban can run it, maybe adding Gus would create more of a benefit?
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Jan 23 @ 3:53 PM ET
Just playing devil's advocate, bottom half of the league has to mean that something is going wrong on the pp, right? Could be there qb, system, their d man..... I think they could use Gus. But the hawks pp goes so much further than Gus. 4 other lethal weapons.

With that said, I think teams will look for depth and pkers, pk is much more important than pp come playoff time. Well, I think it is.

- I Am The Breadman


I think sometimes too, it comes down to how it is going lately. I mean, some folks would look at the Hawks and say they don't need Gus, they have Keith/Seabrook that can play on the PP. For some teams, injuries will happen and it can be about how the PP is going lately. Gus has more PP points (tied with Hedman) than any other dman in the NHL during the last 30 days. There can easily be a team that wants a guy for second unit, has a guy on the shelf, or just needs a boost because their supposed PP point man is not getting it done lately.
HawksHype
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.08.2011

Jan 23 @ 3:55 PM ET
Here are the teams ranked in the bottom half of the league that have a shot/are currently in the playoffs.

Team and their PP percentage.
Dallas 20.6
Carolina 16.8
Toronto 21.5
Buffalo 17.0
NY Islanders 16.7
Nashville 13.3
Columbus 14.6
Anaheim 14.6

Who would Gus help? Who, out of this list, offers Stan a offer he couldn't refuse?

- MNHawk


Idk what the offer would be, but I would venture to guess that teams like Toronto and NY would be happy to improve one of the weakest aspects of their game. And even playoff contenders that have a solid PP currently, whats the hurt in improving depth just in case? I don't think you necessarily need to be bad to improve.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jan 23 @ 3:55 PM ET
Here are the teams ranked in the bottom half of the league that have a shot/are currently in the playoffs.

Team and their PP percentage.
Dallas 20.6
Carolina 16.8
Toronto 21.5
Buffalo 17.0
NY Islanders 16.7
Nashville 13.3
Columbus 14.6
Anaheim 14.6

Who would Gus help? Who, out of this list, offers Stan a offer he couldn't refuse?

- MNHawk


Gus for Jake McCabe. Done.
HawksHype
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.08.2011

Jan 23 @ 3:56 PM ET
None of the above, they all have defenseman that can run a power play.
- LAHawk


Obviously not very well....
scottak
Location: I am serious. And don't call me Shirley!
Joined: 08.06.2010

Jan 23 @ 3:56 PM ET
Like you I'd like to see if Gus can get his defensive skills up a minimum standard. My concern with him isn't so much him getting better defensively, anyone can learn to play defense, my concern is his hockey IQ and the fact he seems so timid. Yesterday he was behind his net and an Islander skated right at him, Gus froze and gave the puck away in front of the net.

Gus' offensive skills are elite and can't be taught.

Gus' defensive skills are poor but they can be taught, if he's willing to learn.

Gus' hockey IQ and his courage are very questionable and I'm not sure those are teachable? Hopefully I'm wrong because otherwise he becomes a powerplay specialist who can't be trusted 5 on 5
.

- paulr

Gus is about to turn 27, and has been in the Blackhawk system since 2016, if my memory is correct. How much more time will it take for him to become competent in the defensive zone?
Elbows15
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: I was going to do the math on this but I don't think it will help., IL
Joined: 08.04.2013

Jan 23 @ 4:10 PM ET
Either did Kruger on the dominant Hawks teams.
- ChicagoHope

Which is why Kampf should be in a defensive role.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Jan 23 @ 4:12 PM ET
AA is a skating ghost. He is not part of the future plan. That seems very obvious.

Respectfully, I believe the idea of talking top 6 to be an antiquated topic. Saad playing on third line, I do not see as punishment, but as a way to assemble 3 lines with the ability to skate, cycle and score. He is part of the long term plan. Has the requisite skills.

Kruger, God Bless his heart and soul, but had he come into the NHL in circumstances other than a Stanley cup team, he would be back in europe or working at IKEA. Great support and role player, but he, nor Keith, could break a pane of glass with their shots.

I want to emphasize something. What Las Vegas did last year has changed everything regarding timetables etc. Its not so much they made the cup final, but it was their style of play and make up of roster. If you want to compete in NHL, you have to have players that can skate. Yes the style of play may open up opponents chances, but by pressing, you put even more pressure on your opponent.

The Hawks will shed AA and likely Kunitz and a few others to that end.

- TrueGrit


poor Marcus.....gotta respect his compete level with that small frame....Hawks draft in the Top 3 and that pick will likely make the team in camp and add to the top 9 forward group. Maybe Perlini emerges as a legit 3rd line depth scorer? If Joki can play in the NHL this year and be effective, there's no reason to think that one of Mitchell/Boquiest could do the same.


For the love of God, I do not know how the Chicago Blackhawks can allow Brent Seabrook to work out at home, alone, again next summer. It is simply impossible to push yourself as hard as you get pushed by a personal trainer. #7 has played much better the last few weeks, and I think you can squeeze out some better production with #7 if he busts his ass with Paul Goodman all summer in Chicago. For $7mil a year, IDK how Rocky can allow that investment not to be maximized.....


There are a TON of possibilities for Stan Bowman via trade, UFA Signing, and Top 5 draft pick from now until Training Camp 2019. It should be very interesting, but any team with Patrick Kane is worth watching, and has a better chance than most "wild card" level teams.
TheTrob
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Oak Park, IL
Joined: 04.14.2010

Jan 23 @ 4:16 PM ET
Gus is about to turn 27, and has been in the Blackhawk system since 2016, if my memory is correct. How much more time will it take for him to become competent in the defensive zone?
- scottak


2015-16 was his first season with Rockford.

Obviously the answer is........more time than that......
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jan 23 @ 4:18 PM ET
Gus for Jake McCabe. Done.
- Justin Lowe

Yes in a heartbeat
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