Article: Hjalmarsson May Need to Pack His Bags

[the canadian dream]

As much as I hate to say this, and most likley will not happen, but Kevin Beiksa would fit in well. I am thinking talent wise, I know you all hate the guy, but he is a guy who you hate but would love to have as much as you all will admit. He is what Rodman was like against the bulls and you saw the fan love torwards him when he came to the Bulls. Another is Proby. I would like the talent level and hard work that he brings to the game. Don't think of Vancouver Beiksa, think of what his roll could be in Chicago. Players attitudes can change depending on the team.

He wouldn't be welcome in the Hawks dressing room and I doubt many players currently on the Hawks roster would give him that warm welcome. While this is pro sports and what happens on the ice usually stays on the ice I don't really think many on the current Hawks roster actually would be able to do that with Bieksa. I have a feeling there is a legit dislike for the guy.



I don't think it would work.

 

[MassHavoc]

My only concern is if we move Hjammer, we better get a dman with skill AND grit. We are lacking in the hit department until Bickell has the the same realization that Buff did that he is a bigger guy on the ice. Took Buffy about 2 - 3 years to learn that. Lets hope Bickell does too.

I mean no disrespect to anyone by this, like hammer. But we have to be able to find more Grit than he gives for a lot less than that. And I'm not saying he doesn't give it, and an equal amount of skill. But if it's one thing thing this team has it's skill out the ass and if they need a little grit to match that's one of the cheapest categories to buy. Ask Burish, Ladd, Madden, ect... Grit is something you can get cheap with the savings, skill is something we have. I think the 4 spot is something more to worry about vacating, and if Campoli can fill in, or Leddy can be that guy, then I really see hammer as a bit of an odd man out. IF again like you say you fill the 5 or 6 dman slot with a guy who does the intangibles he would take with him.

 

[mtl09]

Not going to happen.....forget about it.......

 

[Ton]

Our Cup winning D didn't have much grit either.



The only type of physical defenseman that would fit in our system is one that is capable of moving the puck as well. Someone like Wisniewski, and I think that type of guy is capable of commanding $4M-$5M on the market. We can't afford it.



Hammer isn't a hitting force, but he is physical in front of the net and he does block a lot of shots. He's also capable of fitting in with our puck moving style. Guys who are strictly physical simply don't work out in our system, take Boynton as a prime example.



If we have possession of the puck, then we don't need to hit the other team. To be honest, I feel like we already have the type of defenseman everyone wants: If Campoli's end to the season is any indication of how he is going to play for us, he was pretty physical 26 hits in 19 games (averages to over 100 hits per season), in the playoffs 15 hits in 7 games (one less than Seabrook, albeit in two more games). Luckily for us, I don't think he is in position to command anymore than $2.5M-$3M at the very highest.



Our D-core is fine, I wouldn't be very happy if we tried to tinker with it.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Our Cup winning D didn't have much grit either.



The only type of physical defenseman that would fit in our system is one that is capable of moving the puck as well. Someone like Wisniewski, and I think that type of guy is capable of commanding $4M-$5M on the market. We can't afford it.



Hammer isn't a hitting force, but he is physical in front of the net and he does block a lot of shots. He's also capable of fitting in with our puck moving style. Guys who are strictly physical simply don't work out in our system, take Boynton as a prime example.



If we have possession of the puck, then we don't need to hit the other team. To be honest, I feel like we already have the type of defenseman everyone wants: If Campoli's end to the season is any indication of how he is going to play for us, he was pretty physical 26 hits in 19 games (averages to over 100 hits per season), in the playoffs 15 hits in 7 games (one less than Seabrook, albeit in two more games). Luckily for us, I don't think he is in position to command anymore than $2.5M-$3M at the very highest.



Our D-core is fine, I wouldn't be very happy if we tried to tinker with it.

 

[EspoForever]

Agreed. Last year I thought our biggest problem was insisting on forcing the puck UP ice even into trouble when an option with time and space was available by making a pass back or across the ice. All of our D did made this error...and Seabs was actually a REPEAT offender, but straightenout out some after getting his contract signed.



I think Hjammer had a sophomore slump but I recall Scotty Bowman being very high on him. If Scotty says a D-Man has great potential, that is good enough for me.



I think the author of the original article is smoking crack if he thinks Hjammer's market value was $1.5 after last year's play in our cup win. After THAT performance I did not think $3.5 was grossly out of line. I expected him to command $2.75-$3.25 anyway before last year's bad start.

 

[EspoForever]

I don't fully agree with this writer's piece but thought it was interesting enough to post.







http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...niklas-hjalmarsson-may-need-to-pack-his-bags#

With Campbell traded I guess this subject is mute.

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

With Campbell traded I guess this subject is mute.

My thoughts as well.

 

[MassHavoc]

Mute... haha was that intentional?