Everybody Exhale

From blackhawks.nhl.com

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today they have acquired defensemen Dennis Robertson and Jake Massie and a fifth-round selection in the 2017 National Hockey League Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forwards Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom and a third-round selection in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Well, that takes some pressure off.  After Versteeg's Houdini act that coincided with Kane's injury last winter this was always a likely and desired move.  The $2mil he would have earned will be far better spent on re-signing Marcus Kruger.  Kind of sorry to see Nordstrom go, as he always worked so hard.  What he was working on was often anybody's guess, but that's for the folks in Charlotte to figure out, now.

As I said, the immediate pressure is off, and Stan Bowman won't be forced to barter Bickell for a set of gently-used snow tires.  This also opens up the roster a little; today's deal leave The Hawks with 12 forwards including Kane and Morin, so at least one of the fellas from Rockford and beyond will likely begin the season in Chicago, possibly two if Quenneville is still not buying what Morin is selling.  We know it won't be Danault, who seemed the best-positioned to make the leap, so I expect Hartman and Panarin to get long, long looks when training camp starts.

No Sooner do I Say it...

...and I am proven wrong.

From blackhawks.nhl.com:

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today they have agreed to terms with forward Joakim Nordstrom on a one-year contract, which runs through the end of the 2015-16 National Hockey League season.

Nordstrom, 23, tallied three assists in 38 regular-season games and appeared in three postseason games en route to the 2015 Stanley Cup championship with the Blackhawks last season. He has recorded six points (1G, 5A) over 54 career NHL games, all with Chicago.

The Stockholm, Sweden, native also registered 16 points (9G, 7A) in 23 regular-season contests with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League last season. Nordstrom has 52 career points (26G, 26A) in 72 games with Rockford over parts of the past three seasons. He was selected by the Blackhawks in the third round (90th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Catching Up and Catching Our Breath

I thought it might be a therapeutic exercise to summarize the changes that The Hawks have undergone in the last two months and to try to look ahead to what still needs to be done.

OUT
Brandon Saad
Patrick Sharp
Brad Richards
Johnny Oduya
Antoine Vermette
and
Stephen Johns
Kimmo Timonen
and almost certainly
Michal Rozsival
Daniel Carcillo
Kyle Cumiskey
and possibly 
Joakim Nordstrom

The first five players in this list represent significant contributors, and I guess we can can include Rozsival in that group, as well, simply down to the amount he played.
Despite not having cracked The Hawks' lineup it was expected that Johns would nail down a spot this season, so we'll count him as a lost asset.
The other four did not play significant roles, really.  I suspect that The Hawks would like to re-sign free agent Nordstrom, as he appears to be liked and trusted by Coach Quenneville, but unless a current roster player is dealt or waived successfully there is simply no cap space to accommodate him.

IN
Marko Dano: Everyone wants to believe that this young fella will ably fill the gap vacated by Saad and, while I expect he will get the opportunity to assume Saad's place in the roster (i.e. first or second line duty) he is not likely at Saad's level just yet.  As Saad continues to develop and slides into even more of a go-to role in Columbus, Dano may disappoint in the short term.  A lot will depend on how Dano starts the season; if he clicks early, earns the coach's trust and gets a shot at quality minutes with quality linemates, Dano may well offset the loss of Saad quite nicely.  If he starts slowly and/or fails to enter Quenneville's Circle of Trust he'll end up mired on the third or fourth line and traded to Dallas in a year or two.  Dano put up decent numbers on a weak Blue Jackets squad, but their late-season re-ignition coincided with the young Slovak's insertion in their top-six, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
Artem Anisimov: I'm less sure about this one.  His stat line suggests he's about on par with the departed Vermette; quite a bit bigger, maybe with more offensive skill, but not as quick or as good on faceoffs.  Still, Anisimov was used on the penalty kill in Columbus and his offensive numbers were a bit lower than usual due to missing some time with an injury.  Historically, he's been a 40-point guy pretty much his whole career.  Is that enough for a projected second line center?  He's also filled a similar role to that of Vermette, and that guy topped out at third line in Chicago.  Again, if he gets good minutes with good players he'll probably be fine, but a slow start could well see him drop in the lineup.
Ryan Garbutt: Not sure what to think about him.  It would appear that his best days, which were not scintillating in the first place, are behind him.  Where do you put him?  I would like to see the Kruger - Shaw - Desjardins trio start the season together, but I guess that will depend on whether Kruger returns or not.  (Now I'm obsessing about Shaw having to play center.)  I think he'll be a useful spare part and little else.
Trevor Daly: This has been done to death but I'll reiterate it here: he's slow, he's defensively ambivalent, he's getting on in years but he's capable of pushing the play out of the defensive zone.  He'll get a crack at power play minutes but let's look at who he's replacing - Johnny Oduya, who played hard minutes against the opposition's top lines and was a mainstay on the penalty kill.  Daly cannot do those things.
Jeremy Morin and Corey Tropp: Unlikely to make The Hawks out of the gate, so let's just move on, shall we?
Artemi Panarin: Is he ready?  Is he remotely as good as some say he is?  I firmly believe he'll get every opportunity to show what he's got, particularly if Kane is "unavailable".  I still see Panarin as an unknown quantity of the highest order but I also find it intriguing that he may well be the Hawks prospect most like Kane.  Still, I recall reading stuff like this about that Makarov kid a couple of years ago, and where is he now?  Seriously...where is he?
Viktor Tikhonov: Another question mark.  I half expect he won't make The Hawks to begin the season but wouldn't shocked, either, to see him on the third or fourth line in a banger role.  He actually put up okay numbers on a decent SKA St. Petersburg squad the last few seasons but he's not going to be used as a top-six guy as he was in the KHL, so we'll have to wait and see if he can bring another dimension to his game.

Stepping Up?
Teuvo Teravainen: As with Panarin, he may find himself in a position to assume Kane's role and, as an incumbent on the roster, he'll get first crack at it.  I wonder if, given the opportunity that Kane was afforded when he first arrived in Chicago, Teuvo would already be a top six forward with 50 or 60 points under his belt.  His playmaking skills are likely as good as Kane's were back in 07-08 but I worry that he will never be the finisher that Kane evolved into.  He displayed a greater nose for the net during the playoffs so perhaps with more icetime and consistent linemates we'll see his scoring touch continue to develop.
Trevor Van Riemsdyk and David Rundblad: Here's the 5D and 6D to start the season, I believe.  I don't want to write these guys off before the puck even drops but they have a tough, tough row to hoe.  Let's remember that Daley is not going to play the minutes that Oduya did and will be of no use on the PK or in a shut-down role, so one or both of TVR and Rundblad are going to have to pull slack, bigtime.  I love Rundblad's shot and I think that, if he improved his skating and reaction skills (gotta be more decisive with that first jump) he could be a real asset and could see power play time. Is what we see, now, what we're going to get, though?  As for TVR, he came out of nowhere, basically, to make The Hawks last year and how that occurred has never been clear to me, as he has never appeared especially strong in any facet of the game, but competently average in most regards. The fact that he only managed 18 games last year because he was hurt so badly, so often, is also a concern.

Lurking in the Weeds
Ville Pokka, Viktor Svedberg and Erik Gustafsson: Just as TVR did last season any of these guys could spring a surprise and actually make the roster in the coming weeks.  Pokka had a decent first season in the AHL last season, seeing his level of responsibility increase steadily as the year progressed.  The Hawks appear determined to give Svedberg a shot, despite his slow progress over two seasons in Rockford.  Well, he's 6'8", which is pretty tantalizing.  Gustafsson is virtually unknown to me.  And there's Robin Norrell, as well, but would be an extreme long shot simply due to his small stature in relation to the third pairing role he would be competing for.
(Watch The Hawks go ahead and re-sign Kyle Cumiskey, though, making it possible to trade any and all of these youngsters next winter...ha ha...)

Stepping Out?
Kris Versteeg and Bryan Bickell: We're probably stuck with them so let's just get used to that idea. Still, in the unlikely event that one or both of these guys are successfully moved along, that would open up many, many roster possibilities.  We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

In Limbo
Marcus Kruger: What a tough spot for Kruger and The Hawks.  The team want very much to re-sign him and Kruger has stated that he is equally interested in remaining in Chicago, but the money just isn't there.  The saving grace is that Kruger may be willing to do a lower-cost deal, presumably with the promise of a far better deal next season, when at least Versteeg will be off the books.
Joakim Nordstrom: As mentioned, I suspect The Hawks would like to keep him but will be unlikely to be able to offer any more than an AHL deal.
Patrick Kane: Well, the less said about that the better.

So, with training camp just around the corner, many questions persist.  Will Kane be on the ice (or simply "on ice"...groan...) and, if not, will The Hawks receive any cap relief?  Will Kruger be in the fold and, if not, who's going to play center?  Can GM Stan Bowman do anything about Bickell & Versteeg?  Will Panarin or Tikhonov be of any use?  I won't even begin to talk about line combos until some of these questions are answered.

About Last Night: Cheese Steak Gobbling Morons 4, Hawks 1

First off, The Flyers played well.
That aside, just because The Flyers didn't stink doesn't mean The Hawks still shouldn't beat the tar out of them.  But they didn't beat and here's why.
- The lineup made even less sense than the hot mess that Quenneville conjured up for Monday's game in Carolina and that's saying something.  Yeah, we all get that Bickell was awful and looked likely to be scratched tonight, but Teravainen being sat down is mysterious.  He had been climbing the depth chart, line by line, every few games and apparently practiced with Toews and Saad this morning.  Instead, we're treated to Shaw on L1 and Desjardins AND Carcillo in the lineup.
- Yes, fucking Carcillo, who has now played two games in the last month.  Hilariously, he played 2½ minutes more than Nordstrom who has been in the lineup consistently and has done nothing particularly wrong. 
- Something is wrong with Toews.  He doesn't have his usual giddyap and has not been stellar at the dot.  What's more is that he is either puzzled an/or annoyed by Q's inane line shuffling.
- Someone has to unplug Rozsival's iron lung tonight.  Let the old boy drift off peacefully in his sleep...

Catching Up and Feasting in The East: Hawks 5, Hurricanes 2 and Monday's Big Boy

First, that was an easy two points with Cam Ward playing like that.  I have little doubt that The Hawks could have dug deeper if need be, but there was no need.

Second, those were some unorthodox and somewhat unexpected line combos.  Not that they were necessarily bad, but I sure didn't expect to see Saad "drop" a line, for example.

Third, Andrew Desjardins:  I dunno, is this an upgrade anywhere?  Is this Carcillo 2.0?  I guess we'll have to see but it seems like a nothing deal to me.  OF COURSE Smith broke his 100-game scoring drought as soon as he arrived in San Jose.  All that aside, Nordstrom wasn't bad at all in Smith's former role.

I'm tired so bla bla, three points, leading from the front and if it weren't for Toews I'd have to bestow this thing on Rozsival.

                   I will juggle one or more pucks to prevent Rozsy from wearing the Big Boy Belt.

More, Please: Hawks 3, Panthers 0 and Thursday's Big Boy

Okay, let's not get too excited...it was just The Panthers again.  But, hey, this time The Hawks kept the pressure on and didn't let the 'Cats get back into it during the third period.  If this was a television news program tonight's lead story would have to be...
ROZSIVAL SCRATCHED - HAWKS DEFENCE NOT TERRIBLE.

- Sorry to dump on the old boy but his ship has sailed.  Even with Cumiskey, Rundblad and Erixon (!) in the lineup things looked (mostly) under control.  Cumiskey had one or two adventure time moments but managed to skate his way out of trouble, Erixon had a couple of nervous shifts but was otherwise fine and Rundy found himself chasing a faster guy driving toward the net...and got his stick in there to break the play.  There is nothing wrong with any of that.
- Teuvo's goal made me feel, just for a few seconds, that Ghost of Patrick Kane had smiled down upon him and It Was Good.  Then I remembered that Kane isn't dead and resumed marveling over Teuvo's no-look shot to open the scoring.
- Speaking of, that Teravainen - Bickell - Shaw line wasn't terrible.  Their best stuff was in the first period but even their "poor" shifts were hardly disastrous, just ineffective, really.  See what happens when Shaw gets to play on the wing - 8 hits, for what that's worth, and more chaos than his caused at center in any game this season.
- I was certain that Smith and/or Nordstrom would pot one tonight.  Both wingers had several excellent shifts with Nordstrom, particularly, getting some creative passes done.  Sadly, his linemates lacked the finish to do much with these gems, but that's life on the checking line, mate.
- Hossa was a bull tonight and it pleased me to no end that he picked a couple of helpies.  Hoss seemed to be fighting the puck a little bit but, holy smokes, he was determined.

So, yeah, More of All This, please.

Yeah, Crow got the shutout and those first-liners each had two points, but this kid's goal earned him the right to eschew suspenders forever.  Being a Finn, you just know he owns suspenders.

                                                    Sillä housuni, you know...?

Cashing in the Blue Chips

The Hawks traded former prize prospect Adam Clendening to Vancouver for a younger but apparently similar-style player in one Gustav Forsling.  Expect to see Clendening to play for the 'Nucks very soon, and for Forsling to begin his 2-4 year apprenticeship in Rockford in 2018.  He will eventually be traded to Brooklyn (Yes! I've been itching to type that!) in 2021 for a second round pick, with which The Hawks will draft an offensive defenseman.  Rinse and repeat, always repeat.

Despite Clendening's tumble from the tippy-top of The Hawks' minor-league depth chart, falling behind Stephen Johns, Ville Pokka and, hilariously, TJ Brennan, I did not see this coming.  Players have funks, off months and even years, but I seriously didn't expect Stan Bowman to pull the trigger quite this fast.

Let that be a lesson to the rest of them.  I'm talking to you, Klas Dahlbeck.

I don't typically dignify any Hawks losses in this space but regarding Wednesday's loss to the Kings:
- Soooo, neither Rozsival nor Oduya are suitable to play alongside Keith on a regular basis, but the guy who "is" plays considerably fewer minutes the afore-mentioned leadfoots...  In what world does this arrangement make any sense?
- Ditto for Teravainen vs. any number of lesser mortals.  The boy is a thoroughbred, but he need more mileage to show his stuff.
- On that topic, sort of, that was the first game that I didn't wonder why Joakim Nordstrom deserved his ice time.  Ultimately, he accomplished nothing, but he did some good things.  I expect he will sit in favour of Dennis Rasmussen on Friday, just because.

Time for a Break: Hawks 3, Penguins 2 and Wednesday's Big Boy

Fifty hits?  I want to talk to the scorekeeper in Pittsburgh.  I'll just bet Pat Foley will get a mileage out of that.
Anyway, The Hawks won the coin toss, thanks to what looked like a couple of five-holers by Toews and Kane in the extra inning.  The Hawks should feel lucky to have emerged from this with two points, just as The Penguins will be disappointed to have not won this one.
A few items:
- Icetime.  Weirdness abounded, with Keith playing less than 24 min and Rozsival cracking 20 min.  11 min for Nordstrom (0 goals this season, BTW) and barely 8 min for Teravainen.
- A 9-shot differential will not result in success most nights.  A beauty from Hossa, a puck with eyes shot by Rundblad, a goalpost or two and Fleury's gaping five-hole in the shootout allowed The Hawks to steal this one.  It won't come that easily in these circumstances very often.
- These guys need a break, they need to regroup and get their priorities sorted out.  Unfortunately, five Hawks have to work during the break...

Who else?  It was one of those nights that he would not be denied. With a hand in both regulation goals, it has to be Hoss.

                                                       That'll do, sir, that'll do.

More, Please: Hawks 6, Coyotes 1 and a First Time Big Boy

That's more like it.  Yeah, let's not get too excited about punching out these feckless 'Yotes, but 51 shots-for is a good sign and, while 36 against isn't optimal, there weren't a ton of high quality shots there.  A few observations:
- Sometimes I mistake Teravainen for Kane, with their similar size, speed and stance.  I take this as a Good Sign.
- Shaw's second goal may be the longest shot he's ever scored on.
- Man, Rundblad can shoot that puck.
- Is there a backup goalie in Phoenix?  Why was Mike Smith left on the hook for 6 goals against?  I mean, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy, but come on....
- Can we PLEASE get Rundblad and Erixon together again?  For more than 8 minutes?
- Joakim Nordstrom: not terrible but not really anything else.  Would Peter Regin be a lesser option?  I think not.

Anyway, to it -

Coulda been Kane, coulda been Shaw but, being an optimist, I hope to be Googling fresh images of this guy for years to come. Often.

                                "Teh-voh Tear-ah-vine-en".  Pay attention, Olcyck.