Confirmed with Link: Chris Kunitz to 1 yr deal ($1m) , Brandon Manning to 2 yr deal ($2.25m aav)

[ChiHawks10]

Neither. The Hawks desperately need a legitimate 2/3D. That's where the money should have been spent, if anywhere.

Lots of those just laying around... And for good prices, too.

Their legitimate 2/3D are in the pipeline, developing.

 

[Esq]

Lots of those just laying around... And for good prices, too.

Their legitimate 2/3D are in the pipeline, developing.

I didn't say finding one would be easy. I said that you don't blow $6M on crap when it doesn't address your biggest need.

 

[ChiHawks10]

I didn't say finding one would be easy. I said that you don't blow $6M on crap when it doesn't address your biggest need.

Their biggest need right now is to develop their young talent. This team was not going to contend, and putting themselves in cap hell to sign a bunch of(any) vastly overpaid FAs to bad contracts makes no sense whatsoever. The sooner you understand that the window is closed, the better you'll feel. This core isn't winning more Cups unless it's in a secondary/complementary role to the new core guys.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

I was using Neal as an example because its a quality versus quantity argument and he signed for about the same as the three Bowman inked. Neal gives Chicago a 2LW to play with Kane and probably score 30+ goals. Ward, Kunitz and Manning won’t collectively produce that value for same amount of money.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

 

[ClydeLee]

Its funny his quote was... I can be more of a stay at home defensemen.

Can be?

So does that mean he plans to play differently or do even players just dont use the term SAH with what it literally meant and just mean a generic "good" defensively. (Which I'm saying he thinks he would be not saying I think he is) because the way Philly fans describe their anger of him always pinching and going deep in the ozone.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

“Typical Q guy”. So not Michal Kempny or Trevor Daley?

 

[piteus]

Its funny his quote was... I can be more of a stay at home defensemen.

Can be?

So does that mean he plans to play differently or do even players just dont use the term SAH with what it literally meant and just mean a generic "good" defensively. (Which I'm saying he thinks he would be not saying I think he is) because the way Philly fans describe their anger of him always pinching and going deep in the ozone.

I'm confused. It seems like people don't know what Manning is.

So according to Manning, he is a stay at home DMen who will get a lot of defensive zone starts and PK time? Will he be paired with Keith?

Will Murphy and Forsling be paired together?

I'm just trying to figure out our defensive pairings.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

I'm confused. It seems like people don't know what Manning is.

So according to Manning, he is a stay at home DMen who will get a lot of defensive zone starts and PK time? Will he be paired with Keith?

Will Murphy and Forsling be paired together?

I'm just trying to figure out our defensive pairings.

We're all confused by this, but it sounds like this move came because it's exactly what Q wanted.

I'm not sure why Murphy couldn't play this role for Q.

 

[ClydeLee]

We're all confused by this, but it sounds like this move came because it's exactly what Q wanted.

I'm not sure why Murphy couldn't play this role for Q.

It's a ice side situation... Manning provides then with a LD who likely will have more Dzone starts and PK a lot. Maybe he will play it with Murphy at Rd, maybe Ruuta if he is used like he was in November/December with Forsling.

But Dpairs won't stay the same. Its Q. But Manning was used that way, ye had 3rd most Dzone faceoffs starts and most in their playoffs paired with Gudas.

 

[BK]

So the mind of the coach has precedence over the metrics? Or the metrics don't account for the opinion of the coach? Wouldn't surprise me if that was the case and would actually make a lot of sense given the obvious disconnect between GM and coach.

I've been saying for a couple of years that everyone needs to go in the FO. We all know that won't happen as long as they sell out every game and make money. This org is quickly turning into the Cubs.

Q clearly does not care about advanced metrics and the FO clearly does.

I disagree about the everyone needing to go but the coach for sure needs to go. The saving grace for the FO is that they have drafted and scouted Europe really well and found players that fit the new NHL. Q clearly has not adapted and seems to refuse to do so.

 

[BobbyJet]

You can guarantee that Kunitz will be one of the hardest workers on the team. Hopefully, the work ethic he brings will rub off on a few country clubbers, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I’d get the hard working pedigree thing for a young team. This team is led by guys with three cups. Hard work is great. Ability is better.

 

[BobbyJet]

I’d get the hard working pedigree thing for a young team. This team is led by guys with three cups. Hard work is great. Ability is better.

And it takes both to be a winner. Vegas and Caps were prime examples this season.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

Bouma worked his ass off. He was still really bad.

 

[BobbyJet]

Bouma worked his ass off. He was still really bad.

Yeah. So I kept hearing. Meanwhile, the line of Hayden-Wingels-Bouma did their jobs every game and was often the best line on a nightly basis. Hawks need the top 9 and Dmen to play with the same intensity for more than a period or two - complete games just didn't happen very often this season.

Next season I expect to see Kunitz and Hayden together and have yet to see an adequate replacement for Bouma on the 4th line. I'm still hoping that a guy like Fortin (who brings a more skilled, less physical style) can fill that gap.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Often the best line?

Two of those three guys finished the year in Rockford.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

“Adequate replacement for Bouma”

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Empty roster spot would be an adequate replacement for Bouma...$1m aav saved>>>>>>Bouma

 

[BobbyJet]

Often the best line?

Two of those three guys finished the year in Rockford.

That's right.

Are you saying you had a problem with the 4th line, before they were split up ... especially when it comes to work ethic? I didn't. The play of the 4th line was not a problem on a team that had a multitude of problems.

 

[ClydeLee]

Martinsen is the replacement of Bouma.. who was the replacement of Tootoo, who was the replacement of Mashinter who was the replacement of Carcillo who was the replacement of Bolig, etc.

Point Q always has his physical in/out of the lineup 13th guy.

 

[BobbyJet]

If the choice is between a physical player who always plays intense hockey and can PK, but doesn't bring much offense (eg. Bouma) and a powder puff who isn't nearly as intense but still good defensively, and still can't score (eg. Jurco), I'll take the former every time. And so will Q.

But as I said, I'd like to see a guy like Fortin in that spot.

 

[boxcar65]

Manning's play in Philly was also reflective of Hakstol's system. He encouraged the D-men to pinch on a regular basis. The issue was that the Philly forwards were often lackadaisical with their coverage when the D pinched. If they want Manning to play more of the stay-at-home role, he will do so...especially if he is paired with a more gifted offensive minded D-man.

 

[Panzerspitze]

Manning is one of the worst defensemen in the league. He follows the puck rather than defending against the attacking player.
...

Say no more. Sounds like he fits Quenneville's defensive "system" like a glove already.

 

[Panzerspitze]

The same internal advanced metrics where Scuderi is worth Daley and Oesterle is better than Kempny? I puke on their internal advanced metrics then.

Now you just screwed those metrics even more, by shorting them out.