He would meet Stan's criteria of recent transactions.

Report: Stars' former top prospect Julius Honka on the trade block. https://t.co/ihkpFYKbJp pic.twitter.com/xL5xrSnCwY

— theScore (@theScore) July 12, 2019

The Sabres re-sign 26 y/o C Johan Larsson 1 yr $1.55M. Will be UFA on expiry. Was RFA after 2 yr $1.475M Deal.

-6G 14P 73GP

He would meet Stan's criteria of recent transactions.

Report: Stars' former top prospect Julius Honka on the trade block. https://t.co/ihkpFYKbJp pic.twitter.com/xL5xrSnCwY

— theScore (@theScore) July 12, 2019

- DarthKane

Yikes I think we should pass:

He was scratched for the final 35 games of the 2018-19 regular season and didn't appear in the playoffs.

Boqvist is rumored to be Rockford bound while my guess is Mitchell stays at Denver to captain his college team to another extended NCAA tournament run. Bowman will be speaking with him about his future while he's at training camp next week but that seems more coincidence of timing rather than setting aside a formal meeting to sway Mitchell to forgo his junior year.

For a Hogs blueline with Boqvist presumedly on board and assuming Dahlstrom is sent down (through waivers first) while Koekkoek remains on the Hawks as the 7th man (also assuming de Haan is 100% to start the season):

Dahlstrom - Boqvist
Gilbert - Carlsson
Beaduin - Krys
Tuulola

Osipov on a shuttle between Indy and Rockford if Dahlstrom needs to stay in Chicago due to any injuries to the Hawks blueline.
- AEL_Fox

Will be surprised if they don't sign a veteran for that blueline like Andrew Campbell.

I guess Dahlstrom will be their "vet".

Tyler do you think if Stan would have signed Dzingel took the money and term he got from the canes he wouldn’t have traded for Shaw?
- Abadseed

I know he was inquiring about him. Not sure what happened. Maybe he didn't deem him a good fit.

Yes, the Shaw thing I think played into it.

Also, Stan didn't anticipate Lehner was going to be available so he jumped on him.

Does Stan go after Maattaa if he knew he was getting deHaan? If not, they would have had room for Jokiharju (if they had wanted to keep him).

Would they have retrieved Shaw if the knew Dzingel could have been had for less than $3.5 per year?

Yikes I think we should pass:

He was scratched for the final 35 games of the 2018-19 regular season and didn't appear in the playoffs.
- walleyeb1

He sucks....

Ass backwards if true
- BetweenTheDots

Idk... was there room for Joki on the NHL roster this year to play meaningful minutes every night? No

If Boquivst is playing in the AHL this year you have Beaudin, Kry, and Boquivst on the roster. All of which need to play significant and important minutes.

Plus the Hawks want to get Mitchell signed.

With the addition of Maatta and De Hann the Hawks have a crowded D corp....

Tyler Cameron: Stan, Catch Your Breath, Man!
Summer is finally in full effect here in Ontario and boy, it's been a hockey whirlwind to get here in the last month in a half.

For the Blackhawks, Stan Bowman has been very busy.

Let's take a look at what we've all just experienced so far this 2019 offseason.
- Tyler Cameron

for your rfa signings - A
for your ufa signings - A
for your trades - D

I think you overpaid for Shaw, and gave up on Jokiharju WAY too early. That guy looks like an absolute stud on the ice. I will admit you won the Hayden/Quenneville trade with my Devs. Quenneville has alot of upside, and if he can carry his AHL success with the Hawks, you will love him as a depth player. De Haan was a massive wast tho.

Does Stan go after Maattaa if he knew he was getting deHaan? If not, they would have had room for Jokiharju (if they had wanted to keep him).

Would they have retrieved Shaw if the knew Dzingel could have been had for less than $3.5 per year?
- StLBravesFan

I would not compare Shaw and Dzingel and getting one changed the other. We got Shaw for a reason, and those two couldnt be more polar opposite types of players

Isn't there another thing potentially on Stan's to do list? Aren't the Cat and Strome eligible for extensions as of July 1?

The fact that's not done yet is a clear sign they're outta here after next season, eh?
- mohel

Following recent trends, they are.

Very interesting to see Saad’s name on that list. Maybe he got sick of hearing the same criticisms as Toews (not playing up to contract, etc) and decided to go the same route.
- Chunk

It was interesting to see Saad play with a little more confidence under Colliton.

Sure, he had some games he dissapeared but I think he could have a solid year.

I found Colliton unleashed his speed a bit on that 3rd line.

Saad looked like a (much) more talented Stalberg.

I noticed Saad flipping pucks through the neutral zone and beating defenders.

That's why I think he is best suited for the 3rd line because he's kind of a one man show in transition. Plus he plays solid defence.

Time will tell but I think he and Shaw on the 3rd line could be a challenging line for other bottom 6s to handle.

Just say who the (frank). Solves that issue.
- 6628

You mean "who da (frank)"

Idk... was there room for Joki on the NHL roster this year to play meaningful minutes every night? No

If Boquivst is playing in the AHL this year you have Beaudin, Kry, and Boquivst on the roster. All of which need to play significant and important minutes.

Plus the Hawks want to get Mitchell signed.

With the addition of Maatta and De Hann the Hawks have a crowded D corp....
- bhawks2241

Yes crowded, but still ass backwards. I believe it's crowded on the left side, #7 long in the tooth, Murphy over rated, Gus great 4th forward on the ice, it really isn't that crowded on the right side, Mitchell play L or RD

It was interesting to see Saad play with a little more confidence under Colliton.

Sure, he had some games he dissapeared but I think he could have a solid year.

I found Colliton unleashed his speed a bit on that 3rd line.

Saad looked like a (much) more talented Stalberg.

I noticed Saad flipping pucks through the neutral zone and beating defenders.

That's why I think he is best suited for the 3rd line because he's kind of a one man show in transition. Plus he plays solid defence.

Time will tell but I think he and Shaw on the 3rd line could be a challenging line for other bottom 6s to handle.
- Tyler Cameron

I know it’s just a turn of phrase and using Stalbergs speed as a comparator, but I just want Saad to be what he was the year we traded him. As you allude, he showed that a number of times last year.

I think with a lot less guess work by the players regarding the system, they will not only come out of the gates faster/better, but I think we will see more consistency.

Ass backwards if true
- BetweenTheDots

It's all speculation but I think a plausible rationale would be that Stan didn't think there would be room to have all 3 of Boqvist, Joki and Mitchell on the Hawks so one of them should be used as a trade asset. Boqvist is a different profile so it came down to either Joki or Mitchell would be the trade chip.

Then Mitchell throws a curve ball and decides to go back to college which keeps open the possibility of him playing 2 more years in college and pulling a Kevin Hayes - and from Mitchell's point of view you can understand that he would see Joki ahead of him so he may not get a shot at the NHL for a couple years anyway - so why not leave open the possibility of going to free agent.

So now Stan has to consider that he may lose Mitchell for nothing (no compensation because he was not a 1st rounder) and if it works out that way he would have only Joki and not Mitchell so he would essentially lose his trade chip.

But ... if he would play his trade chip (Joki) now and by doing so entice Mitchell to not go the free agent route - then he would have Mitchell and the player he can get from trading Joki.

This speculation is predicated on the theory that Stan and staff assess Joki and Mitchell close enough to where keeping one over the other is not a deal breaker.

Who knows if any of that is true. Idle speculation running rampant.

Does Stan go after Maattaa if he knew he was getting deHaan? If not, they would have had room for Jokiharju (if they had wanted to keep him).

Would they have retrieved Shaw if the knew Dzingel could have been had for less than $3.5 per year?
- StLBravesFan

Don't think Joki and Maatta are connected. The Hawks really soured on Joki for reasons. Which we may or may not agree with. The return for Joki kinda indicates to me they were looking to move on from Joki pretty quickly.

I know it’s just a turn of phrase and using Stalbergs speed as a comparator, but I just want Saad to be what he was the year we traded him. As you allude, he showed that a number of times last year.

I think with a lot less guess work by the players regarding the system, they will not only come out of the gates faster/better, but I think we will see more consistency.
- Chunk

I only use Stalberg in that because of that flip move through the neutral zone. He was very good at that - and that's about it.

Saad is much, much better in every area.

I just noticed it more last year and I know Colliton was working closely with Saad.

Saad-AA-Shaw might be your 3rd line if the Hawks can't find a taker for AA.

... and that's not the worst. Probably the best 3rd line they have had in a few years.

It's all speculation but I think a plausible rationale would be that Stan didn't think there would be room to have all 3 of Boqvist, Joki and Mitchell on the Hawks so one of them should be used as a trade asset. Boqvist is a different profile so it came down to either Joki or Mitchell would be the trade chip.

Then Mitchell throws a curve ball and decides to go back to college which keeps open the possibility of him playing 2 more years in college and pulling a Kevin Hayes - and from Mitchell's point of view you can understand that he would see Joki ahead of him so he may not get a shot at the NHL for a couple years anyway - so why not leave open the possibility of going to free agent.

So now Stan has to consider that he may lose Mitchell for nothing (no compensation because he was not a 1st rounder) and if it works out that way he would have only Joki and not Mitchell so he would essentially lose his trade chip.

But ... if he would play his trade chip (Joki) now and by doing so entice Mitchell to not go the free agent route - then he would have Mitchell and the player he can get from trading Joki.

This speculation is predicated on the theory that Stan and staff assess Joki and Mitchell close enough to where keeping one over the other is not a deal breaker.

Who knows if any of that is true. Idle speculation running rampant.
- EbonyRaptor

interesting. A bit out there. But interesting nonetheless.

Will be surprised if they don't sign a veteran for that blueline like Andrew Campbell.

I guess Dahlstrom will be their "vet".
- Tyler Cameron

Yeah, I'd much rather hold a 7th or 8th spot for a D veteran like Campbell than for a younger career minor leaguer like Osipov or McArdle. Perhaps Tuulola, too, but he has some upside yet is the lowest on the depth chart for Blackhawks drafted D prospects at Rockford.

Dahlstrom can provide veteran leadership but he could also spend considerable time in Chicago and may not be present enough.

I only use Stalberg in that because of that flip move through the neutral zone. He was very good at that - and that's about it.

Saad is much, much better in every area.

I just noticed it more last year and I know Colliton was working closely with Saad.

Saad-AA-Shaw might be your 3rd line if the Hawks can't find a taker for AA.

... and that's not the worst. Probably the best 3rd line they have had in a few years.
- Tyler Cameron

AA isn't being traded this season.

Don't think Joki and Maatta are connected. The Hawks really soured on Joki for reasons. Which we may or may not agree with. The return for Joki kinda indicates to me they were looking to move on from Joki pretty quickly.
- Elbows15

It reminds me of the TT situation, sure he was the sweetner to trade Bickell but they soured on him fast.

3 or 4 years i see Joki being a very solid dman in the NHL and i guess management probably has issues with players who are opinionated.

Correct. Sign Mitchell next week
- Assman22

I don't think you can sign him because the wants to play at Denver, and some how think that is not the way the agreement works....

Yeah, I'd much rather hold a 7th or 8th spot for a D veteran like Campbell than for a younger career minor leaguer like Osipov or McArdle. Perhaps Tuulola, too, but he has some upside yet is the lowest on the depth chart for Blackhawks drafted D prospects at Rockford.

Dahlstrom can provide veteran leadership but he could also spend considerable time in Chicago and may not be present enough.
- AEL_Fox

Correct me if I'm wrong, like i even have to ask, but if we waive Dahlstrom or 4k and a team claims him off waivers, the player has to remain on the roster for the rest of the season?

I only use Stalberg in that because of that flip move through the neutral zone. He was very good at that - and that's about it.

Saad is much, much better in every area.

I just noticed it more last year and I know Colliton was working closely with Saad.

Saad-AA-Shaw might be your 3rd line if the Hawks can't find a taker for AA.

... and that's not the worst. Probably the best 3rd line they have had in a few years.
- Tyler Cameron

I agree here.

A Saad-AA-Shaw 3rd line will be a hard match-up for most teams. That's pretty nice depth.

Seeing what Dzingel and Ferland signed for, not as happy about the Shaw trade as I was two weeks ago. We could still have those picks as well as either player around the same cost as Shaw. That said, I feel that Shaw will be extremely popular once he's back on the ice.