Confirmed with Link: Blackhawks Re-Sign Marcus Kruger (2 years / 1.325 AAV)

[rick hawk]

I understand his options. If he wanted more than 1.2 I'd wish him well and tell him its been nice knowing him. In spite of the dreams people have for him he is a fourth liner now and forever. The only Hawk forward with less offensive ability is Bollig. That's not going to magically change. Look up the salary for Colin Fraser and Andrew Desjardins and tell him to do that too. He was part of a successful penalty killing GROUP. A big part of that success (Frolick) was allowed to go and Kruger can go too.

 

[ndgt10]

Nobody would offer sheet Kruger.

If they did, I would be tempted to take the 3rd round pick.

 

[AvsRobin]

I understand his options. If he wanted more than 1.2 I'd wish him well and tell him its been nice knowing him. In spite of the dreams people have for him he is a fourth liner now and forever. The only Hawk forward with less offensive ability is Bollig. That's not going to magically change. Look up the salary for Colin Fraser and Andrew Desjardins and tell him to do that too. He was part of a successful penalty killing GROUP. A big part of that success (Frolick) was allowed to go and Kruger can go too.

You obviously didnt see Marcus when he was one of the best offensive players in the Swedish Elite League at the age of 20. I am not saying he absolutely will bring that to the NHL. But it's there. No question.

 

[rick hawk]

You obviously didn't see Dave Bolland score close to a goal a game in the OHL. As with Kruger this is now the NHL. The NHL is full of guys who don't score as well as they did elsewhere. Toni Salmalainen would be a star if this wasn't the case. Kruger is 23 now has been tried on the second line and elsewhere. He has shown no sign that he might break out. Kyle Beach might score 50 goals next year and Brookbank might win the Norris but I doubt it. You don't pay guys for what they did in Sweden....

 

[Marotte Marauder]

You obviously didnt see Marcus when he was one of the best offensive players in the Swedish Elite League at the age of 20. I am not saying he absolutely will bring that to the NHL. But it's there. No question.

You obviously didn't see Dave Bolland score close to a goal a game in the OHL. As with Kruger this is now the NHL. The NHL is full of guys who don't score as well as they did elsewhere. Toni Salmalainen would be a star if this wasn't the case. Kruger is 23 now has been tried on the second line and elsewhere. He has shown no sign that he might break out. Kyle Beach might score 50 goals next year and Brookbank might win the Norris but I doubt it. You don't pay guys for what they did in Sweden....

Additionally, the 20 or so that scored more than Kruger all seem to be NHL busts or never was guys. Just for perspective, the leading scorer that year had played parts of 5 years in the NHL. 15 goals total.

Just sayin'

 

[Bubba88]

so you are saying the SEL is a beer league and behind the ECHL??



Fine, Krüger was good, stays longer and he will get more ice time in the future

 

[slappipappi]

Nobody would offer sheet Kruger.

If they did, I would be tempted to take the 3rd round pick.

Players who show they can play in the NHL, especially ones who are exceptionally good penalty killers, are still young, and have upside, are certainly worth more than a 3rd round pick.

Kruger is what you often hope 3rd round picks turn into.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

so you are saying the SEL is a beer league and behind the ECHL??



Fine, Krüger was good, stays longer and he will get more ice time in the future

That's a pretty big jump from what he said. Lighting up the SEL means little. I said it then and I'll say it now.

 

[Hewy]

That's a pretty big jump from what he said. Lighting up the SEL means little. I said it then and I'll say it now.

means little? maybe when you're 25+ with not much more upside. Not saying Kruger is going to turn into some top 6 forward in the NHL, but at 20 and putting up point totals like that in a professional league is still impressive.

also, lol at whoever is comparing him to Bolland, one is playing in a league with boys, the other men... Not to mention one played on one of the greatest junior teams in the history of the CHL.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

means little? maybe when you're 25+ with not much more upside. Not saying Kruger is going to turn into some top 6 forward in the NHL, but at 20 and putting up point totals like that in a professional league is still impressive.

also, lol at whoever is comparing him to Bolland, one is playing in a league with boys, the other men... Not to mention one played on one of the greatest junior teams in the history of the CHL.

Means little by comparison to other leagues. If Kruger's numbers and Saad's numbers are compared along with the quality of opponents, they mean little.

Doing well in a league where the TOP guys are not quality NHL caliber players is not significant. And some on this thread think SEL>AHL. Not.

 

[Hawkscap]

Kruger was never a big scorer in the SEL. He was more of a passer and the stats tell it.

105 games 19 g 51 assists

 

[jfc64]

Marcus is very talented and is a high reward, low risk option. Which should be reflected in a contract. I'd say 2.0M per year. He's almost a lock for our national team (Sfwindzernlandia), fGs.

 

[LarmerAmonteSeabrook]

I wish they announced the terms of contracts when they announce the signings. It seems they leave us hanging and don't announce these things for a few days.

I'm glad all but 4 guys are going to be back from our championship team. Kruger's a great PKer and is defensively responsible.

 

[Garl]

Means little by comparison to other leagues. If Kruger's numbers and Saad's numbers are compared along with the quality of opponents, they mean little.

Doing well in a league where the TOP guys are not quality NHL caliber players is not significant. And some on this thread think SEL>AHL. Not.

Now that's very far from objective view. SHL(SEL) is definately better than AHL. AHL is filled with youngsters and career AHL vets, european leagues, are taking away best players who can't play in NHL.

 

[Garl]

I understand his options. If he wanted more than 1.2 I'd wish him well and tell him its been nice knowing him. In spite of the dreams people have for him he is a fourth liner now and forever. The only Hawk forward with less offensive ability is Bollig. That's not going to magically change. Look up the salary for Colin Fraser and Andrew Desjardins and tell him to do that too. He was part of a successful penalty killing GROUP. A big part of that success (Frolick) was allowed to go and Kruger can go too.

Mayers and Carcilo have more offense in them?

Kruger is a strong offensive player, yes he's more of a passer than shooter, in Chicago he's used in defensive role, using that aginst him as a proof that he can't put any offense is silly.

 

[Garl]

Additionally, the 20 or so that scored more than Kruger all seem to be NHL busts or never was guys. Just for perspective, the leading scorer that year had played parts of 5 years in the NHL. 15 goals total.

Just sayin'

He was 20 y.o. and all of this guys were much older, now how many 20 y.o. in Sweden were scoring almost at PPG and then became busts in NHL?

 

[Marotte Marauder]

He was 20 y.o. and all of this guys were much older, now how many 20 y.o. in Sweden were scoring almost at PPG and then became busts in NHL?

I'll give you 5 right off the bat and you let me know if you need more. Christian Berglund; Mattias Weinhandl; Joel Lundqvist; Magnus Kahnberg and Robert Nilsson.

 

[Marotte Marauder]

Mayers and Carcilo have more offense in them?

Kruger is a strong offensive player, yes he's more of a passer than shooter, in Chicago he's used in defensive role, using that aginst him as a proof that he can't put any offense is silly.

My eyes are proof enough, I've seen minimal to no offensive game from Kruger even as 2 C.

 

[HockeySauce]

Means little by comparison to other leagues. If Kruger's numbers and Saad's numbers are compared along with the quality of opponents, they mean little.

Doing well in a league where the TOP guys are not quality NHL caliber players is not significant. And some on this thread think SEL>AHL. Not.

Most of the top scorers in the AHL aren't NHL quality or will never amount to much in the NHL. Your point?

 

[HockeySauce]

Kruger was never a big scorer in the SEL. He was more of a passer and the stats tell it.

105 games 19 g 51 assists

Racking up assists =/= scoring? Everyone knows Kruger isn't a sniper and never will be.

 

[HockeySauce]

I'll give you 5 right off the bat and you let me know if you need more. Christian Berglund; Mattias Weinhandl; Joel Lundqvist; Magnus Kahnberg and Robert Nilsson.

And I can list off tons of kids that did nothing in SEL at 20-years-old and went on to have solid/good NHL careers. It works both ways. When a guy's 20-year-old and scoring at a near PpG pace, or leading his team in scoring - in a professional league - it can only be seen as a positive. It doesn't happen very often.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

I believe Kruger has more offensive upside to his game. He is a very good passer and more importantly than that is that he thinks the game very well. Those two qualities ensure that if he's given the chance he is capable of mush more than being pigeon holed into a 4th line role. The fact that he has embraced the 4th line role and worked hard every shift he is on the ice speaks to his character and that too is top notch. I hope he gets another shot at 2C in the next year or two because I think he's more ready for it now than when he was thrown in there in 2011/12.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Most of the top scorers in the AHL aren't NHL quality or will never amount to much in the NHL. Your point?

Id have to check, but I'd bet that most kids - 23 and under - that finish near the top of the AHL in scoring go on to have pretty good careers.

 

[Garl]

I'll give you 5 right off the bat and you let me know if you need more. Christian Berglund; Mattias Weinhandl; Joel Lundqvist; Magnus Kahnberg and Robert Nilsson.

Berglund 8+6 in 43
Weinhandl 15+9 in 32
Lundqvist 12+14 in 46
Kahnberg 0+0 in 4
Nilsson 2+4 in 23

Kruger 11+20 in 38


Keep in mind that Weinhandl played with Sedins, and also had a freak eye injury later which damaged his career. Also, guys that you've listed are certainly talented offensive players. Espescially Nilsson. Now he wasn't a bust too, but his career in NHL wasn't as sucessful as it could but it has nothing to do with his offensive talent, in that way he's more talented than Loui Eriksson who is same age.

 

[Garl]

My eyes are proof enough, I've seen minimal to no offensive game from Kruger even as 2 C.

Look, 20 y.o. kids don't score at almost PPG level in SHL if they are not talented. Question is, if he can realize that offensive potential, he has to add some strength, but his offensive potential is real.