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All i know is in glad KD and the Blackhawks aren’t like Verbeek and ducks owners. This is the 2nd forward who hit RFA contract for that team and the negotiations are not going well at all. Not even practicing with them. Would not mind seeing McTavish in a Blackhawks sweater
Hope this takes. .. Been waiting to post this and think it’s a great topic for Frenchy to post on. Should KD trade for McTavish? A for real trade where a Rinzel or Levshunov goes the other way.
Most said yr after yr that KD should draft the BPA, no matter the position. He’s gone off the board with some late 1sts but for the most part he’s taken BPA and as a result his pipeline is full of excellent D prospects. We all also said when the time comes KD can trade from strength. Very good logic and a fine way to build IMO.
We also know KD ain’t scared. He showed us that in his very first draft and resistance to adding money and term for a FA forward when he was losing a lotta games. IMO he’s gone from phase to phase of the rebuild with laser focus and determination to stick to the plan. No shortcuts and no speeding up the plan has him in a great position being flush with draft premium draft picks, flush with blue chip prospects especially on defense. .. I also think KD has been laying in wait since he took the job and is now like a jack in the box sitting on a coil ready to burst and jump up.
For a McTavish to become available and then pounce. A kid who I have profiling as some degree of Bennett. A tough gamer who is in every scrum, playing in front of both nets, a player who has the size (220lbs) and demeanor to take every tough minute a season and playoffs have to offer and offer a floor of a 55-60 pt threat (Bennett’s high pts in a season is 51). A player who will impact a game in every zone……. And as a centerman he’s rare, as rare as what a Lev or Rinzel brings.
Huge swing but an add like this gives you, in no particular order, a heavy/big/tough to play against McTavish and Frondell down the middle as your #1 and #2 centerman. That’s not only elite but it’s what gets clubs deep into the playoffs, consistently. ………. I’d do it but the question is will KD do it? McTavish has to be available and the Hawk’s organIzation has to be looking hard at this. …….. Kid is 22 yrs old, 220 lbs, has played 220 NHL games, put up 52 pts last yr and is a centerman who was a 3rd overall pick.
I’d get him as cheaply as I can but would give up a Lev or Rinzel if it took that to add this skilled beast to Frondell down the middle for 10 yrs.
rpete, the club wants to take a step, to get the offense going, to create chances for their young talent. You can’t unlock any of that without some kind of stability in your own end. You can’t be getting hemmed in using 25-30 seconds to get the puck out cuz there is nothing left in the tank for that shift. Or, not being able to steady the structure defensively when the opponent is buzzing and creating chances.
Gryz will bring some stability to a very very young backend and not clog up the pipeline.
I think Mr.G starts the year in Rockford unless Murphy is traded.
More likely Grizz will be released from his PTO with Kaiser onboard to seek employment elsewhere.
AssMan, are you comfortable with just Murphy as your only vet on defense and the rest young or straight up rookies with all having less than 100-150 NHL games with no safety net on the roster or even at RKF? … I think it’s just crazy for a club looking to be more competitive, without some crazy anchor contract vet from outside vesthe system, and a young stud goalie taking the reigns as an NHL starter for the first time in his NHL career.
I love the idea of having a solid vet who can still play on 2 of the 3 D pairings. It gives Blashil some structure every system needs and still leaves 2-3 spots open for whichever kid/prospect plays best and earns a spot. The rest go to RKF and develops.
The Grzelcyk situation comes down to roster construction. If the Blackhawks go with 7 defensemen and 14 forwards, Grzelcyk could find himself as the extra man. But if they carry 8 defensemen and 13 forwards, his experience gives him the edge.
For a veteran like Grzelcyk, sitting out as a healthy scratch isn’t ideal, but it’s part of the job. For a young prospect, however, that role can stall development. They’re better off logging big minutes in Rockford than watching from the press box.
The bigger question lies with Chicago’s top prospects. Players like Artyom Levshunov and Kevin Korchinski can’t just be sheltered on the third pair playing 12 minutes a night. They need to be in the top four, eating 15+ minutes, and seeing time on special teams.
That’s the challenge of a rebuild stacked with young talent — too many prospects ready at once. In the short term, it can create lineup headaches and growing pains. But long term, if managed properly, it’s the kind of problem that turns into a payoff.
Going into the season with 1 deeply experienced Dman in Murphy and the rest of the unit having less than 100 NHL games played ain’t wise. I don’t care how many of your young Dmen are blue chippers or can’t misses they are still just babies at this level. Some will be overwhelmed some will do ok but hit a wall but each one will have some sort of a problem acclimating into the toughest position to do so at this level.
Gryz is a vet and can still play. Been on some good teams, knows his way around the league and has a fine profile to fit with this group. ……. You almost knew KD would add a vet to the backend but he was patient and got a Gryz at no cost.. Depending on camp of course but I see Gryz breaking camp with the club and having a role with this squad… Good fit, IMO. He’ll help keep things from going sideways and Knight, who’s an NHL starter for the first time, will appreciate Gryz a whole lot….
Damn that seems like a team friendly deal. Not a bad move by Knight gets stability knows he’s going to be here for the next 4 years.
The extension is 3 yrs, Dots. ..
Knight signs a bridge deal!!! 3 yrs at 5.8 per……….I think this is what I was hoping for. Hawks don’t rope themselves to a 5-8 yr deal for an uber talented kid that hasn’t played more than 40ish games in a yr. And for Knight he fills his pockets with cash in the near term and if he hits anywhere near his ceiling he’s gonna get a big fat long term deal.. Risk either way for both sides but the 3 yr deal is the most risk averse option.
Mostly agree with you Ricochet. Buium reminds me of Dougie Hamilton. Lots or PP points, but really a #5 defenseman. Demidov will be flashy and put up points. Unfortunately, I don’t see any resemblance to Datsyuk other than he’s Russian. Will be a defensive liability as he’s already shown. Lev will end up a #1 RHD against the strongest opponents within the next 2 years, and putting up points. Kind of a Seabrook+. 3 years away from a top 3 for the Norris.
Hey Wiz, really glad to see you made it over. Always enjoyed your hockey thoughts…… IMO Buium and Hamilton are night5 and day. In fact, I thought Rinzel’s ceiling profiled Hamilton (until this last yr when he showed excellent poise, awareness and has become pretty good in his own zone with room to grow still) since they drafted him. Buium’s IQ means he makes plays all over the ice with and without the puck. Dougie at best is a top points producer, valuable, but a bit too one D dimensional whereas Buium impacts the game on every inch of ice.
Simply said Demidov has the most insane puck possession hands/skill along with insane IQ since Datsyuk. Not good, not great, not elite but insane. I haven’t seen those traits in one player until Demidov. ,,,,, Taking Arty over Demidov is like stopping at the hardware store before you go to the candy store. That’s the way to build even though IMO Demidov has rare skill/IQ….. I’ll tell you what, in 5 yrs in a game 7 I’m petrified if Demidov is on the ice. .. He takes being dangerous to another level.
