Tyler Cameron: "Best of" Blackhawks Armchair GMing – Part 5
We're back with another Blackhawks Armchair GM blog.

Before we jump in though, there was a small piece of news out of Rockford this weekend. Anton Wedin has decided to head back to the SHL.

Ok, now on to our Armchair GM – Part 5. This edition features nickmo2699.

Let's see what he did as GM.

The game 6 loss to Phoenix in 2012:

https://twitter.com/nhlbl.../1257109327741161472?s=21

Cannot for the life of me figure out why so many people are so eager to dump Saad.

Maddening.

Tyler Cameron: "Best of" Blackhawks Armchair GMing – Part 5

We're back with another Blackhawks Armchair GM blog.

Before we jump in though, there was a small piece of news out of Rockford this weekend. Anton Wedin has decided to head back to the SHL.

Ok, now on to our Armchair GM – Part 5. This edition features nickmo2699.

Let's see what he did as GM.
- Tyler Cameron

I think 4K could be a decent 7th d-man, especially since there's a good chance de Haan will be hurt at some point (unfortunately).

Avs say no. Saad would be on the 3rd line, barring injuries, and JT does just fine there without having to take on more salary. Donskoi may not put up typical 2nd line numbers but has good chemistry there and Nichushkin's been pushing for time there as well.

Koekkoek is inconsistent like many young dmen. He needs to but may not play in top six. It is difficult to say when young dmen turn the corner.

Confidance and playing/ making plays at high speed, less hesitation where to automatically move puck when hounded on a dump in: some become better at this after a while although you cannot ascribe the 300 gp rule (or however many) as a benchmark then automatically expect a big improvement in game #301.

I see where elbows is not in his fan club. I understand his reasoning. But is there someone better to take his place. Maybe one more year here then who knows what happens come expansion and the longer term effect of Corona on hicckey structure and economics.

Special K could be special as a cheap fill-in and could develop. He is a better choice than scraping the bottom of barrell with Seeler and Gilbert needs to improve.

I would like to retain him also until I see whether deHahn is out again injured and Seabrook has returned. Then you have options maybe iIF another club wants depth and IFwe recall a prospect.

I think that this is due to Saad’s AAV and playing a lot of 3rd line minutes. Also, if the Hawks are not cup contenders in the next two to three years, maybe the $6M could be used to pick up a couple of younger players. Now my take... Big, fast and defensively responsible players that will score 25 goals do not grow on trees, we could use one or two more of these type of players, not less. As long as we can sign him to around $6M/4 years, then I say we keep him.

Cannot for the life of me figure out why so many people are so eager to dump Saad.

Maddening.
- Ogilthorpe2

That is one of many topics I gave up on - trying to defend Saad. I'm always in support of keeping him, but things are apparently better for some when there is a whipping boy.

So Wedin is an example of how some players get weeded out for one reason or another

In other news someone has said that Perfetti is the best player in the draft. I do believe he is plucked sooner than wunder kid scorer Caufield was grabbed. Whom might be the better pro. Well Caufield has to prove he can score bushelful of goals and survive physical pounding (and or avoid some punishment artfully like Martin St Laurent did) in a men's league. I don't doubt his capacity to excel though. I'm sure Darth likes Caufield to succeed more than Perfetti. Hmmm....in time we shall see.

I think that this is due to Saad’s AAV and playing a lot of 3rd line minutes. Also, if the Hawks are not cup contenders in the next two to three years, maybe the $6M could be used to pick up a couple of younger players. Now my take, big, fast and defensively responsible players that will score 25 goals do not grow on trees, we could use one or two more of these type of players, not less. As long as we can sign him to around $6M/4 years, then I say we keep him.
- Angotti

Will be telltale if the impact of Corona reduces salary cap and.how many players sign for less for an extra year or so than try to leverage the highest dollars despite the troubling team economy NHL teams likely will face in the next few seasons.

Well, that Saad trade is just plain bad. Not only is Saad the better player but to add an asset? Hard pass. Compher is what he is at this point. A fair to middling 3rd liner at best. On a good Avs team he was under water in shots. That isn't the bad news. The guy is a career CorRel% player. Like every year. Saad has never been a negative player and in fact, puts up close to dominant numbers by that metric.

Yeah, not the be-all end-all but the Hawks need more players who do that, not less.

Why trade Seabrook is there is a CBO? The Hawks could just do that themselves and should for Seabrook.

Special K sucks. If he returns, its for less money. Not more. Otherwise whatever value he has is negated. There is a reason TB gave up on him.

So Wedin is an example of how some players get weeded out for one reason or another

In other news someone has said that Perfetti is the best player in the draft. I do believe he is plucked sooner than wunder kid scorer Caufield was grabbed. Whom might be the better pro. Well Caufield has to prove he can score bushelful of goals and survive physical pounding (and or avoid some punishment artfully like Martin St Laurent did) in a men's league. I don't doubt his capacity to excel though. I'm sure Darth likes Caufield to succeed more than Perfetti. Hmmm....in time we shall see.
- jhawk59

No one has ever said Perfitti is the best player in the draft. He is not close to that.

I think 4K could be a decent 7th d-man, especially since there's a good chance de Haan will be hurt at some point (unfortunately).
- DarthKane

Carlsson is already better than Special K. Punt that guy into the sun. Seabrook and Maatta can share being the extra D-man.

Carlsson is already better than Special K. Punt that guy into the sun. Seabrook and Maatta can share being the extra D-man.
- Elbows15

For sure, I'd play Carlsson over 4K too, but he should be playing in the top 6.

Depending on their play I have no issue with Maatta or Seabrook at #7, I just don't think its reality.

No one has ever said Perfitti is the best player in the draft. He is not close to that.
- Elbows15

SCORE app had that headline story on Sunday. I did not read it. I take wiz ratings as gold.

Carlsson is already better than Special K. Punt that guy into the sun. Seabrook and Maatta can share being the extra D-man.
- Elbows15

Maybe could turn out this way

Carlsson is already better than Special K. Punt that guy into the sun. Seabrook and Maatta can share being the extra D-man.
- Elbows15

Agree about Carlsson...BTW Seabrook is ready to adjust to NHL speed- when? and Maata is. hurt often. Both slow. Special K gives you some skating.

Agree about Carlsson...BTW Seabrook is ready to adjust to NHL speed- when? and Maata is. hurt often. Both slow. Special K gives you some skating.
- jhawk59

Special K doesn't skate well enough to make up for his lack of hockey IQ. Seabrook was better with two bad hips and one arm.

For sure, I'd play Carlsson over 4K too, but he should be playing in the top 6.

Depending on their play I have no issue with Maatta or Seabrook at #7, I just don't think its reality.
- DarthKane

I would punt Maatta, too. He aain't bad but he also isn't good. He is kinda there. His there cost too much.

Instead of moving Saad, Bowman needs to find a way to get rid of Smith and Maatta.
Saad's value would be higher at TDL of next season.

While we are at it, I wouldn't re-sign Caggs. I like him but he just isn't available enough.

Agree with what others are saying about Saad. If he can be re-signed around his current salary (+/- $500,000) at 4-5 years, then go with it and continue to build the team with him as part of the core.

As for the proposed Avs trade, while I like Compher, I agree with Elbows that the trade would have to be the other way around with Colorado giving up more in assets to obtain Saad, i.e. for Compher + prospect + pick.

Compher would be decent as a 3rd line winger with ability to play 2nd line if needed.

So if we are going to have hockey, all in Canada or US but not both, due to Trudeaus quarantine rule

Saad may be one of the best rentals available come next TDL. If the Hawks are out of contention, he could get a lot more than Compher at that time.

The Leafs have signed KHL d-man Mikko Lehtonen. Stan is caught napping yet again with another failed attempt to upgrade the team. More proof that free agents don't want to play in Chicago.

The Leafs have signed KHL d-man Mikko Lehtonen. Stan is caught napping yet again with another failed attempt to upgrade the team. More proof that free agents don't want to play in Chicago.
- DarthKane

The Leafs are on a tear signing European FAs. It helps them out big time with their pending salary cap issues.

The Leafs have signed KHL d-man Mikko Lehtonen. Stan is caught napping yet again with another failed attempt to upgrade the team. More proof that free agents don't want to play in Chicago.
- DarthKane

The FA’s not wanting to sign here is one of the best narratives out there. Was likely a timing issue for Bowman if I had to guess.