Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on Vegas game, de Haan injured + trade rumours Well, this blog has gone through about 3 different iterations.

Apologies for the delay, however, due to what happened last night in the Vegas game, I've had to revise and re-confirm a few things.

Let's look at the Vegas game, de Haan injury + trade rumours.

First, (frank) yeah!!!

First! I still think this team needs a coaching change. there structure on both offense and defense is brutal this falls on the coach period.

First, (frank) yeah!!!
- Assman22

Damn you assman

Blow it up. Clean out the front office and then rebuild. Trade Kane. Trade anyone else who can be traded.

it's also the same shoulder that ended his season with the Isles a couple years ago.

it's also the same shoulder that ended his season with the Isles a couple years ago.
- BINGO!

Yep I saw that. Vets are dropping like flies. Let the kids play and see what they’ve got.

the "blow it up" blowhards are

if dehahn is out and possibly done for the year...no way you can trade gus or matta as tyler stated...

this board is on a bungee cord with each win or loss...

but strange things happen in sports and with teams; and is possible the hawks somehow come through this injury cycle and stay competitve...

I'm not sure why de Haan's injury cuts off moving Gus or Maatta. I would think it might enhance it.

Without Keith and de Haan (if it gets to that) long term, this team probably / most likely / almost certainly will not make the tournament (pick your qualifier).

Bringing in some kind of defenseman as a stopgap will cost you a good prospect or pick for the possibility (but only a possibility) that they might contend for a playoff spot (couldn't think of any other good qualifiers).

If there is a deal with Montreal that would help for the future that would cost Gus or Maatta, I would say go for it, especially with the Keith / de Haan situation.

Time to start focusing on their draf position next year. And yes, they need to trade Gustafson to Montreal, like ASAP.

the "blow it up" blowhards are

if dehahn is out and possibly done for the year...no way you can trade gus or matta as tyler stated...

this board is on a bungee cord with each win or loss...

but strange things happen in sports and with teams; and is possible the hawks somehow come through this injury cycle and stay competitve...
- bogiedoc

Why?

If de Haan is out for the year, and Keith is very possibly on LTIR for a LT (long time), where do we think Gus (as opposed to Boqvist) and / or Maatta (as opposed to another Rockfish call-up) is going to lead them?

I'm not reacting to each win or loss - and not looking to tank for whichever 18 year old becomes the next superstar in waiting - only to the generally inconsistent and ragged play (even in many of the wins) and looking at losing 2 of the top 3 defensemen for long periods.

the "blow it up" blowhards are

if dehahn is out and possibly done for the year...no way you can trade gus or matta as tyler stated...

this board is on a bungee cord with each win or loss...

but strange things happen in sports and with teams; and is possible the hawks somehow come through this injury cycle and stay competitve...
- bogiedoc

The rebuild started last night and you absolutely trade Gus and/or Matta before the TDL especially Gus who will walk away for nothing. At this point it does not matter who their replacements are.

What would the habs give back? A lot of injuries in Montreal as well.

I'm not sure why de Haan's injury cuts off moving Gus or Maatta. I would think it might enhance it.

Without Keith and de Haan (if it gets to that) long term, this team probably / most likely / almost certainly will not make the tournament (pick your qualifier).

Bringing in some kind of defenseman as a stopgap will cost you a good prospect or pick for the possibility (but only a possibility) that they might contend for a playoff spot (couldn't think of any other good qualifiers).

If there is a deal with Montreal that would help for the future that would cost Gus or Maatta, I would say go for it, especially with the Keith / de Haan situation.
- StLBravesFan

Sage understands where the team is at this point. Giving up a future asset for a so-so player is the height of stupidity.

Why?

If de Haan is out for the year, and Keith is very possibly on LTIR for a LT (long time), where do we think Gus (as opposed to Boqvist) and / or Maatta (as opposed to another Rockfish call-up) is going to lead them?

I'm not reacting to each win or loss - and not looking to tank for whichever 18 year old becomes the next superstar in waiting - only to the generally inconsistent and ragged play (even in many of the wins) and looking at losing 2 of the top 3 defensemen for long periods.
- StLBravesFan

The only thing holding us in somewhat has been the strong goaltending. Frustration is building on this strong point though and it is just a matter of time before it affects performance.

What would the habs give back? A lot of injuries in Montreal as well.
- deadpoulet

For Gustafson? A bag of pucks will do.

The rebuild started last night and you absolutely trade Gus and/or Matta before the TDL especially Gus who will walk away for nothing. At this point it does not matter who their replacements are.
- 67hawks

The rebuild started the day Q was fired.

What would the habs give back? A lot of injuries in Montreal as well.
- deadpoulet

Denault for a 7th?

I didn't watch the game last night. What type of play did DeHaan get injured on, was it dirty or a really hard hit? It would be good to know how fragile he his with his reconstructed shoulder.

Sage understands where the team is at this point. Giving up a future asset for a so-so player is the height of stupidity.
- mohel

**Unless it's a former Blackhawk- maybe TVR, Ruuta, or Oesterle...Stan has demonstrated a weakness for them in the past. Maybe he can pry Rundblad from his KHL team

First and foremost, speedy recovery to CDH. Guy is a warrior and has played well for us this year.

Second, I love the kid, but if I have to watch Kirby Dach try to toe drag between two defenders between the circles instead of unloading a quick shot one more time I am literally going to throw my remote through the TV!!!!!!!!!

Pronman looks back & re-grades the 2017 draft, in ‘The Athletic’.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Grade: B
2017 Grade: B

Chicago’s best player from that year, Henri Jokiharju, was traded over the summer to Buffalo. He’s a good skater and puck-mover who may not be a star level talent but could be a solid long term top-four defenseman. Its second-round pick Ian Mitchell isn’t the same caliber of defenseman as Jokiharju, but he’s a very good prospect and projects to be an NHL player. I also like forward Evan Barratt a lot, as he has been great at Penn State and has bottom-six potential. Some of its European picks like Andrei Altybarmakyan and Tim Soderlund are OK players. Defenseman Jakub Galvas, picked in the fifth round, is having a good season and is the most intriguing of the bunch right now.

Pronman looks back & re-grades the 2017 draft, in ‘The Athletic’.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Grade: B
2017 Grade: B

Chicago’s best player from that year, Henri Jokiharju, was traded over the summer to Buffalo. He’s a good skater and puck-mover who may not be a star level talent but could be a solid long term top-four defenseman. Its second-round pick Ian Mitchell isn’t the same caliber of defenseman as Jokiharju, but he’s a very good prospect and projects to be an NHL player. I also like forward Evan Barratt a lot, as he has been great at Penn State and has bottom-six potential. Some of its European picks like Andrei Altybarmakyan and Tim Soderlund are OK players. Defenseman Jakub Galvas, picked in the fifth round, is having a good season and is the most intriguing of the bunch right now.
- scottak

Interesting that he thinks Mitchell isn't the prospect Joker is. Most seem to have Mitchell ranked pretty high.

I didn't watch the game last night. What type of play did DeHaan get injured on, was it dirty or a really hard hit? It would be good to know how fragile he his with his reconstructed shoulder.
- Dieselhead

Not a hard hit, but was penalized for interference. He fell toward his back & side awkwardly, without being able to break his fall.

Deitz said he was holding his wrist, but a poster noted that people support their arm/shoulder by holding their wrist.

My guess (not a medical professional) was shoulder

If deHaan is out for a considerable period of time the Hawks should abandon this season and make every single decision based on next year or future years.

Move Gus.
Showcase Smith and see if you can find a taker.
Make a decision on Lehner or Crow and move the other.
Call up Lankinen (and sign him to an extension)
Play Dach as 3C with decent wingers.
play Boqvist with an NHL quality L defender (Maatta or Keith when ready to go)
Play Nylander (and maybe Sikura)
Play Gilbert with an NHL quality R defender (Murphy)
Sign Mitchell (even if his season ends at same time as Hawks, too late for this season)
Ease off the minutes for Kane and Keith.
Get a top 4 draft pick.