I agree completely. Chelsea Dagger has to go away. Replace it with a new original song or an existing song excerpt from a CHICAGO band.
I personally would love to see them go with something from Loud Lucy or Cheap Trick or Smashing Pumpkins
- GreenJeans

If going the Chicago band route, do it right and go with "Just One Fix" by Ministry.

That said... who really gives a flying poop about the goal song? I'm normally looking at the replay. If actually at the game, it gets the younger fans going (which is what you want). It's not marketed to fans that have been watching for ages.

It's to pad the salary cap. Many would have to believe this is to buy a window for the next 2 years by stuffing the roster with some players that may be a bit overpaid in there salary. I imagine Jason Deckenson isn't worth 4M+ annually, but it helps the hawks eat up some cap space the next 2 years. As many have mentioned the team is a skeleton and a dumpster fire for now. I imagine this is a telling story of when Kyle is assuming the hawks will be relevant again and all the guys who are overpaid or not in the core of the team will be gone by FA or traded.
- Hawk4life

Why not? What are you expecting to get for that kind of money? He's ideally a 3C who plays a strong 200' game and adds about 0.5 PPG.

Take a look at the list of guys making that kind of money ($4-5M). They typically range from 0.4-0.6 PPG. Some are more defensively oriented others are not. He's right where he should be paid. Also keep in mind how that contract looks with the cap expected to jump a bit the next two years.

I decided i had to go see the best odds for Celebrini bowl last night live.

Vlasic was the only player last night on both teams that stood out. 1st year in the league and he's playing like he is. His ability to read plays before they happened was so nice to see since our great dmen have retired.

I have a feeling Korchinski if he cares and continues to work on his defense is going to be a really really good player. His skating backwards forwards backwards again is going to keep him in defensive position more times than not, it's effortless. His ability to skate in tight spaces is probably why he doesn't take many big hits, very quick very shifty, and i can't wait for him to get comfortable playing defense so his offense improves.
- BetweenTheDots

Let's remember the kid is 19. He'sjust made the NHL and his father dies unexpectedly 3 weeks before xmas.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is still processing that loss.

Why not? What are you expecting to get for that kind of money? He's ideally a 3C who plays a strong 200' game and adds about 0.5 PPG.

Take a look at the list of guys making that kind of money ($4-5M). They typically range from 0.4-0.6 PPG. Some are more defensively oriented others are not. He's right where he should be paid. Also keep in mind how that contract looks with the cap expected to jump a bit the next two years.
- Chunk

The Leafs are paying Bertuzzi and Domi a combined $8.5M for a total of 10 goals so far. And Huberdeau in Calgary with 6 goals. And others around the keague. Compared to that stuff D$ckinson looks very underpaid.

What about signing Stamkos to a one year 12 million contract to play with Benard depending how things turn out in Tampa. He has won two championships Why not if he declines the offer move on. Another option trade for marker from Toronto him or Tavares is getting traded.

Some.

Some are disappointed that a kid was
let walk in and guaranteed playing time, and
he is not a Phil Russell, not Cole Makar, and his strength from the get- go was as a very fast mailman with passing ability, and not a giant bomb of a shot that is his skill highlight.

If the initial thoughts a poster comes to transmit is Korbustsky, I guess they are in a place that the rest of us are not.


And if the can lock Vlasic uplink term now, they should.
- wiz1901

Maybe a little of Keith before he became Keith. Love to see Korchinski develop a top tier stick.

Let's remember the kid is 19. He'sjust made the NHL and his father dies unexpectedly 3 weeks before xmas.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is still processing that loss.
- Rota's Rooter

Yep. How’d Seabs and Keith look at 19. Did we forget those early years how bad Keith was at times? 05-06 and 06-07.

Tonight's game is postponed, ICYMI: https://twitter.com/Buffa...tatus/1747676416949309708

Yep. How’d Seabs and Keith look at 19. Did we forget those early years how bad Keith was at times? 05-06 and 06-07.
- bhawks2241

I think Korchinski is progressing pretty well considering this is his first pro season.

Just as a simple comparison (someone will assume I'm saying he will be the next Keith) Keith played two seasons in the AHL before coming to the NHL and even then it took him some time to really get going. Korchinski will keep getting better as he matures and gets more comfortable at the pro level.

Mrazek could be $6M. Vlasic higher as well.
- rpeters01

Gotta be careful with Vlassic. I love the way he is playing, I think he has been their best D-man since the start of the season. That being said, it's year one. Sustained success is what they are looking for. You don't want to get into a situation where you give a guy big dollars long term, only to have them turn out to be a pumpkin. Remember when everyone was clamoring for Klingberg, and he turned into crud.

Theres a few avenues here for Vlassic, a bridge deal for a couple of years and then he moves into the longer term big money deal, or you give him more now for a longer term. So, $2.5-$3.5m for 2 or 3 years, or $6.5 for 6-8 years.

If he keeps on the development track he has jumped on this season, it would behoove him to take the bridge deal and really cash in on the next contract

Yep. How’d Seabs and Keith look at 19. Did we forget those early years how bad Keith was at times? 05-06 and 06-07.
- bhawks2241

Blasphemy! You are not allowed to talk about our heroes' former flaws. There is only good and dog poop. If he is in the NHL he must be great immediately like that Makar fella. Otherwise he gets a poorly constructed derogatory nickname, and nothing he ever does (beyond age 19) will change the way he is perceived.

Did I miss anything?

Gotta be careful with Vlassic. I love the way he is playing, I think he has been their best D-man since the start of the season. That being said, it's year one. Sustained success is what they are looking for. You don't want to get into a situation where you give a guy big dollars long term, only to have them turn out to be a pumpkin. Remember when everyone was clamoring for Klingberg, and he turned into crud.

Theres a few avenues here for Vlassic, a bridge deal for a couple of years and then he moves into the longer term big money deal, or you give him more now for a longer term. So, $2.5-$3.5m for 2 or 3 years, or $6.5 for 6-8 years.

If he keeps on the development track he has jumped on this season, it would behoove him to take the bridge deal and really cash in on the next contract
- TheTrob

What if you split the difference? $4.5-5M for 4-5 years? He gets a notable bump in pay and gets to UFA a year or two earlier at an age where he can still reasonably command a nice contract (assuming he keeps progressing as he is). The Hawks get a little bit longer cost certainty as well and a bit less risk.

Gotta be careful with Vlassic. I love the way he is playing, I think he has been their best D-man since the start of the season. That being said, it's year one. Sustained success is what they are looking for. You don't want to get into a situation where you give a guy big dollars long term, only to have them turn out to be a pumpkin. Remember when everyone was clamoring for Klingberg, and he turned into crud.

Theres a few avenues here for Vlassic, a bridge deal for a couple of years and then he moves into the longer term big money deal, or you give him more now for a longer term. So, $2.5-$3.5m for 2 or 3 years, or $6.5 for 6-8 years.

If he keeps on the development track he has jumped on this season, it would behoove him to take the bridge deal and really cash in on the next contract
- TheTrob

The Zaitsev contract is the final year of a deal signed after his promising rookie season, as another example.

Guessing Vlasic gets around $4-5 mill AAV bridge deal. (You beat me to it, Chunk.)

The Zaitsev contract is the final year of a deal signed after his promising rookie season, as another example.

Guessing Vlasic gets around $4-5 mill AAV bridge deal. (You beat me to it, Chunk.)
- 333inthe3rd

I think Kyle Davidson was kind of telling us the same, that they want to be really careful before handing out money and term, but that his season is giving them some confidence. It will be interesting to see where they land, but my gut tells me 2 year extension and then he will get expensive.

Tonight's game is postponed, ICYMI: https://twitter.com/Buffa...tatus/1747676416949309708
- 333inthe3rd

Damn weather. I saw that Murphy was questionable again to be back in the Lineup. Zaitsev back to the IR and Crevier called up.

Let's remember the kid is 19. He'sjust made the NHL and his father dies unexpectedly 3 weeks before xmas.

I wouldn't be surprised if he is still processing that loss.
- Rota's Rooter

I can see why KD drafted him there's a lot of talent there and he's very athletic.

If i sounded like i was criticizing him or eluding to the fact he won't be a any good, i actually believe the opposite.

I can see why KD drafted him there's a lot of talent there and he's very athletic.

If i sounded like i was criticizing him or eluding to the fact he won't be an any good, i actually believe the opposite.
- BetweenTheDots

What fact were you running away from?

I can see why KD drafted him there's a lot of talent there and he's very athletic.

If i sounded like i was criticizing him or eluding to the fact he won't be a any good, i actually believe the opposite.
- BetweenTheDots

I loved that seam pass he made to Bedard in Arizona. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLbuUS92obI I wish we got to see more plays like that from him.

I loved that seam pass he made to Bedard in Arizona. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLbuUS92obI I wish we got to see more plays like that from him.
- 333inthe3rd

He’s made some incredible passes this season but unfortunately some guys were unable to accept the pass or do anything with it. His passing skills haven very good. But one criticism of his passing is he often looks to defer, I’d like to see him shoot or make a play instead of always passing. But that’s a young guy/rookie thing we see most guys do.

I'm not necessarily defending Jones here, but how many times after they get the puck out of the zone is it immediately turned over and come right back in. They basically don't have any forwards that can make a controlled entrance into the offensive zone and keep the puck. This is why they don't generate any SOG and are buried every night.

Yes, some of that falls on the D-men, but a lot of it falls on the forwards (or lack thereof).
- Chunk

Chunk, as you stated it goes both ways. The forwards are not great at extending possession, but part of the problem is that there are just not enough direct passes from the D. There are a lot of Wrapped passes, flipped pucks, bank passes to nobody, and just poor passes overall. Unfortunately our veteran D seem to be worse offenders than the youngsters.

As to Jones, for a guy being paid and treated as a #1 Dman, he just makes way too many mistakes in both his positioning and his decision making. Examples: On the SJ Goal, he has a chance on the faceoff the win the puck/effect the play, but he doesnt. The puck is cycled around the rink and winds up behind the Hawks net, with Korchinski engaging the sharks player. Jones has both feet in the crease, pointing into the net and is watching the play behind the goal. He doesn't turn his head an pick up the opposition (Carpenter), doesn't stop the pass or really do anything to effect the outcome, other than maybe screening or hindering Mrazek. On another play Jones instead of stopping above the goal line, chases a guy without the puck behind the net, while the shot comes and the SJ player has a juicy rebound all to himself, luckily Mrazek bails him out. Last example, puck is shot out of the offensive zone, Jones gives up the blue line correctly and chases. He has several steps on the chasing Shark player. Sharks are changing, so no other Shark is on the other side of the dots/center ice. His D partner IS on the opposite side, giving him a clean path to transition. Instead of making the simple cross ice pass to his partner, he either tries to go behind the net or turn along the boards, loses the puck to pressure and eventually leads to a scoring chance against.

There are way to many examples of this. I expect mistakes from the younger D, especially the mental ones as they refine their decision making process and positioning understanding. I would expect a lot more from the Vets........I guess too much to ask.

Chunk, as you stated it goes both ways. The forwards are not great at extending possession, but part of the problem is that there are just not enough direct passes from the D. There are a lot of Wrapped passes, flipped pucks, bank passes to nobody, and just poor passes overall. Unfortunately our veteran D seem to be worse offenders than the youngsters.

As to Jones, for a guy being paid and treated as a #1 Dman, he just makes way too many mistakes in both his positioning and his decision making. Examples: On the SJ Goal, he has a chance on the faceoff the win the puck/effect the play, but he doesnt. The puck is cycled around the rink and winds up behind the Hawks net, with Korchinski engaging the sharks player. Jones has both feet in the crease, pointing into the net and is watching the play behind the goal. He doesn't turn his head an pick up the opposition (Carpenter), doesn't stop the pass or really do anything to effect the outcome, other than maybe screening or hindering Mrazek. On another play Jones instead of stopping above the goal line, chases a guy without the puck behind the net, while the shot comes and the SJ player has a juicy rebound all to himself, luckily Mrazek bails him out. Last example, puck is shot out of the offensive zone, Jones gives up the blue line correctly and chases. He has several steps on the chasing Shark player. Sharks are changing, so no other Shark is on the other side of the dots/center ice. His D partner IS on the opposite side, giving him a clean path to transition. Instead of making the simple cross ice pass to his partner, he either tries to go behind the net or turn along the boards, loses the puck to pressure and eventually leads to a scoring chance against.

There are way to many examples of this. I expect mistakes from the younger D, especially the mental ones as they refine their decision making process and positioning understanding. I would expect a lot more from the Vets........I guess too much to ask.
- TheTrob

Indeed. Like I said, it wasn't a real defense of Jones, but just pointing out that there are issues that lead to a high amount of D-zone time. I think he'd be great if he wasn't asked to be the top guy, and was paid about $2.5M less for two less years.

What if you split the difference? $4.5-5M for 4-5 years? He gets a notable bump in pay and gets to UFA a year or two earlier at an age where he can still reasonably command a nice contract (assuming he keeps progressing as he is). The Hawks get a little bit longer cost certainty as well and a bit less risk.
- Chunk

I think that's great from the Hawks standpoint, but if I'm Vlassic and want to bet on myself I take less term and hope to hit the jackpot sooner. If he stays on the same trajectory, he gets to the jackpot 2-3 years earlier.

I think that's great from the Hawks standpoint, but if I'm Vlassic and want to bet on myself I take less term and hope to hit the jackpot sooner. If he stays on the same trajectory, he gets to the jackpot 2-3 years earlier.
- TheTrob

Hopefully Vlasic weighs the “jackpot” against winning. Lots of NHL players who are making sure they get their jackpot aren’t winning.

Indeed. Like I said, it wasn't a real defense of Jones, but just pointing out that there are issues that lead to a high amount of D-zone time. I think he'd be great if he wasn't asked to be the top guy, and was paid about $2.5M less for two less years.
- Chunk

Less money, less term that would be great. But is Jones even worth $7m/year? Other than minutes, where does he excel? If you put Tinordi out there for 25 mins a game does that mean he is worth $7m/year. Skill wise I think Jones is a solid second pairing Dman. What the going rate for a #3/#4? It sure isn't $7m. This was such a colossal f-up on Bowmans part on so many levels. The only positive at this point is that he helps get to the Cap floor.

Hopefully Vlasic weighs the “jackpot” against winning. Lots of NHL players who are making sure they get their jackpot aren’t winning.
- paulr

See: Toronto