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- pdx2ord

Too bad Schmaltz got hurt but wow did Johnson let himself be taken out of the play. Who lets Kane alone with so much room. Hope back soon his speed and creativity will cause a lot problems for teams and open up room for Kane.

Bet torts drew that one up
- kinigitt

LOL!!!

Agree with your answer to the blog question. Should be a fun game tonight. It's only 2 games but even before they started playing for real you could see the lineup had the potential to look a bit like the 2010 group of forwards.

Hayden earned his shost and is earning his place. Schmaltz did what he needed to over the summer and it looks like there was room for growth in his and Hartman's game avoiding sophomore slumps. Early returns but looking good so far.

DeBrincat hasn't looked out of place and Panik got some confidence last year and seems to be even moreso this year. Love the way he just shrugged off Letang and the other PGH defender in front of the net.

Yes it will because it's a fact. Through 2 games it has not been an issue because of 2 lopsided victories. However, if you see how Stan Bowman has transformed this team over the summer with speed and youth, it may surface down the road.

For 2 years many have posted about the 3 million dollar overpaid 3rd line center Marcus Kruger, now there's AA and his 4 million dollar cap hit that doesn't have the qualifications for 3rd line center responsibilities...slow, a 45 % faceoff center, not great defensively, and will be 30 years old in May. Yes, Q has praised him so far, but honestly, what else should Q do ? He's demoted AA to 3C and probably wants to motivate him. Is he getting PP and PK minutes like last year ??? Very little.

There are 2 centers in the system that are Stan's guys.....Dauphin and Kampf, not to mention Vinny as well.

I'm just considering Stan's motive of how to continue the youth and speed movement moving forward, hence my posts on the previous blog about Athanasiou....or the possibility of moving AA at some time for another defenseman. Until then, and with Schmaltz missing at least 2 games, if AA is moved back up to 2C, then that should answer some questions. It wouldn't surprise me and I'd actually like to see if playing back with Kane might boost his confidence and aggressiveness. If it does, then his stock rises as well as a quality 2C for a possible future move.

I just really like what Stan has done so far....but he does have room now like never before to continue the youth and speed movement. Time will tell just how aggressive he will be and I can only imagine what kind of impact an available big, speedy, young center like Athanasiou could do for this team for the next several years. I'm hoping.
- Hawkytalk

If I'm not mistaken... Athanasiou is demanding about 3 mil/per correct? If so, I think the price of an offer sheet would run a 2nd round pick next year, which we don't have. However, I think what Schmaltz has shown at 2C really makes AA expendable. Sure he's "fine" as a 3C, but if your third line has Debrincat and Sharp on it, I'm not sure you really need him. I really wouldn't mind moving him for a player like Athanasiou. I say keep bringing in NHL ready young players and move the expendable older guys while they still have some value. But if you could move AA and a mid to low end prospect/future pick for a 2nd, then I would absolutely submit an offer sheet for Athanasiou. Only part where it gets risky is if he were to decline (which I highly doubt he would). Or maybe perhaps by one team submitting an offer sheet, it opens the flood gates and multiple teams start submitting offers. If he didn't accept and we just end up with a 2nd round pick for AA, I think the team would be worse off, so it's risky. But if they are confident they could get him I think the team would be better for it going forward.

If I'm not mistaken... Athanasiou is demanding about 3 mil/per correct? If so, I think the price of an offer sheet would run a 2nd round pick next year, which we don't have. However, I think what Schmaltz has shown at 2C really makes AA expendable. Sure he's "fine" as a 3C, but if your third line has Debrincat and Sharp on it, I'm not sure you really need him. I really wouldn't mind moving him for a player like Athanasiou. I say keep bringing in NHL ready young players and move the expendable older guys while they still have some value. But if you could move AA and a mid to low end prospect/future pick for a 2nd, then I would absolutely submit an offer sheet for Athanasiou. Only part where it gets risky is if he were to decline (which I highly doubt he would). Or maybe perhaps by one team submitting an offer sheet, it opens the flood gates and multiple teams start submitting offers. If he didn't accept and we just end up with a 2nd round pick for AA, I think the team would be worse off, so it's risky. But if they are confident they could get him I think the team would be better for it going forward.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

The Hawks don't need just any 2nd - they need their original 2nd from 2018. That means they'd have to get it back from the Habs somehow, which seems unlikely. And the Habs are not interested in Anisimov when they already have Plekanec. Add to that most GMs are not going to offer sheet a guy who is already troublesome when it comes to contract negotiations after a single good year. Offer sheets are rare for a reason.

If Anisimov is gone, who takes high QOC in the occasions that Toews can't / Q wants to free him up more? Not going to be Athanasiou if he came over as he's not great defensively and has only played in a sheltered offensive role (low QOC, high OZS, only so-so results tbh). Not going to be Kero who Q doesn't seem to want to have face anyone above 3rd liners. One of the kids that hasn't made the team yet?

I don't really get people wanting to dump Anisimov - the team lost two of their best defensive forwards in Hossa and Kruger last season so they want to move another. It makes no sense.

On top of all this, Anisimov has a full NMC this season. He'd have complete say in where he goes so just remember that when playing armchair GM.

IMO this is the investment you need to make in your youngin's in order for them to have a chance to be where you need them come April. Guys like Forsling and even Kempny and Rutta should be much better at handing pressure and the speed of playoff games if you let them play through those lumps now, win or lose.
- busmaster

True. And, Rutta is definitely one of the top 2 RDs on the team, and Forsling and Kempny are second and third best LDs on the team at this point in time. So it makes sense that they are being given the ice time whether it is developmental or the best guys play.