Blackhawks Acquire Handzus For Calder

[savard18]

Let's all be honest here, the Hawks traded Calder away because he won his arbitration case and they weren't going to pay three million a season for a guy that's simply good in the corners. I loved Calder as a Hawk, but with a lot of young talent in their system ready to come up they needed to clear space and trading away a guy who most likely will never score more than what he did last season, it makes business sense. Handzus is good for the Hawks because they basically had nothing up the middle last year. With Toews, Skille, Blunden, and a few more young skaters waiting in the wings...I could sense that Tallon was going to part with Bell and Calder, especially since the Hawks are reluctant to pay top dollar for offensive talent. There's a history of the Hawks trading away arbitration eligible players...and Calder getting the big raise he did only hastened his exit.

It's a shame that Bell and Calder couldn't stay Hawks, they played through the lean, very lean years and deserved a better fate with us. They were both hard workers which the fans in Philly will love about Calder, as will Shark fans with Bell. However, Calder is no Simone Gagne offensively and to ask him or expect him to fill those shoes is unrealistic. As for Bell is numbers will go up, but that is more the Joe Thorton effect, anyone playing with him scores more. If the Hawks can keep Ruutu healthy...and pair him with Havlat and Handzus...they have a good beginning. Problem is the depth on the rest of the scoring lines is thin...Patrick Sharp, Vrbata, Bourque....The Hawks will miss Calder's work in the corners, and Bell's leadership on the ice. Losing those two with Curtis Brown in the buyout means their penalty kill will be vastly different next year.

It's hard to be a Blackhawk fan...

[Ciccarelli]

Originally Posted by Orr=God

he will not play as a defensive forward and will certainly be on one of the top 2 lines

The Flyers will have Gagne (if he remains a Flyer), Knuble, Carter, Umberger, Forsberg and probably Sanderson above Calder to fill up the scoring lines. As Calder is a better defensive player then the above named and has the speed for a speedy checking line he could form a great 3rd line with Richards and maybe Kapanen. Just my opinion.

[mckendo83]

I think the trade could go 1 of 2 ways...The trade works out well for the flyers and we see a 25 goal +10 at least per year for calder and we remain deep at the center position and never look back...or the blackhawks go on to win the stanley cup in a few years with handzus, sharp, and Vandermeer leading the way. The flyers always think they have the edge in trades and more often than not its a huge regret IMO.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

The Flyers win this trade bigtime. Calder is younger,faster, and more skilled. How could anyone hate this trade? Handzus was a great Flyer. I liked him alot in Philly and I wish him well in Chicago,but I love what Calder brings to the Flyers. Handzus was far from tough on the ice. If anything he was a bit soft for a guy who is 6'5" and over 220lbs IMO. Losing Handzus dosn't make the Flyers any less tough.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Originally Posted by savard18

Let's all be honest here, the Hawks traded Calder away because he won his arbitration case and they weren't going to pay three million a season for a guy that's simply good in the corners. I loved Calder as a Hawk, but with a lot of young talent in their system ready to come up they needed to clear space and trading away a guy who most likely will never score more than what he did last season, it makes business sense. Handzus is good for the Hawks because they basically had nothing up the middle last year. With Toews, Skille, Blunden, and a few more young skaters waiting in the wings...I could sense that Tallon was going to part with Bell and Calder, especially since the Hawks are reluctant to pay top dollar for offensive talent. There's a history of the Hawks trading away arbitration eligible players...and Calder getting the big raise he did only hastened his exit.

It's a shame that Bell and Calder couldn't stay Hawks, they played through the lean, very lean years and deserved a better fate with us. They were both hard workers which the fans in Philly will love about Calder, as will Shark fans with Bell. However, Calder is no Simone Gagne offensively and to ask him or expect him to fill those shoes is unrealistic. As for Bell is numbers will go up, but that is more the Joe Thorton effect, anyone playing with him scores more. If the Hawks can keep Ruutu healthy...and pair him with Havlat and Handzus...they have a good beginning. Problem is the depth on the rest of the scoring lines is thin...Patrick Sharp, Vrbata, Bourque....The Hawks will miss Calder's work in the corners, and Bell's leadership on the ice. Losing those two with Curtis Brown in the buyout means their penalty kill will be vastly different next year.

It's hard to be a Blackhawk fan...

I now present to you.... David Bolland. They won't miss Calder with Bolland on their team. Trust me.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by PhlyerPhanatic

I now present to you.... David Bolland. They won't miss Calder with Bolland on their team. Trust me.

I agree..... Bolland will serve as a decent replacement for Calder. The only problem is, he will spend most of this year in Norfolk. Actually, getting some solid minutes in the A IMO will prove to be a really good thing for him.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Originally Posted by OLLBLUEEYZ

I agree..... Bolland will serve as a decent replacement for Calder. The only problem is, he will spend most of this year in Norfolk. Actually, getting some solid minutes in the A IMO will prove to be a really good thing for him.

Bolland needs a year in the A IMO to adjust to the pro game,but I expect him to be a call-up at some point. I followed this kid all through Junior as he played for my hometown team. He's a keeper.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by PhlyerPhanatic

Bolland needs a year in the A IMO to adjust to the pro game,but I expect him to be a call-up at some point. I followed this kid all through Junior as he played for my hometown team. He's a keeper.

On the Hawks Web Site he's listed as 6' 170, I've heard from people in the know that say he's much smaller than listed. Any truth to that?

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Originally Posted by OLLBLUEEYZ

On the Hawks Web Site he's listed as 6' 170, I've heard from people in the know that say he's much smaller than listed. Any truth to that?

Bolland would go 5' 11" tops, 5'10" usually becomes 5'11" and 5'11" usually becomes 6 foot. He plays alot bigger than his size. He's a wizard down low with the puck. 170lbs might be about right,although I've seen him out of equipment in street clothes numerous times and I'd put him at around 175-180. 10 lbs can be lost and gained so easily by a kid,so 170lbs might be right. He's an all-round nice kid and is rather shy when it comes to the media,but he'll open up when he feels comfortable in the situation. Let's just say he leaves his talking for the ice,as he can be a bit of a pest.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by PhlyerPhanatic

Bolland would go 5' 11" tops, 5'10" usually becomes 5'11" and 5'11" usually becomes 6 foot. He plays alot bigger than his size. He's a wizard down low with the puck. 170lbs might be about right,although I've seen him out of equipment in street clothes numerous times and I'd put him at around 175-180. 10 lbs can be lost and gained so easily by a kid,so 170lbs might be right. He's an all-round nice kid and is rather shy when it comes to the media,but he'll open up when he feels comfortable in the situation. Let's just say he leaves his talking for the ice,as he can be a bit of a pest.

This kid is going to have every chance in Camp this year... we will se how he does. I'll keep you updated. Thanks.

[savard18]

Originally Posted by PhlyerPhanatic

I now present to you.... David Bolland. They won't miss Calder with Bolland on their team. Trust me.

Bolland is probably still another year or two away from what I hear. The Hawks are very slow at bringing up prospects that should earn experience on the big league roster.

[bustoff]

I think the Hawks got the better in this trade. I was hoping the Blues could re-aquire Handzus. More up-side than Calder imo.