[Signing] Blackhawks sign Mark Stuart, Drew Miller and John Mitchell to PTO

[Karl]

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/201...mp-roster-2017

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed defenseman Mark Stuart and forwards Drew Miller and John Mitchell to professional tryout contracts for this year’s training camp. The three players were surprise inclusions on the team’s official roster for the camp, which opens on Friday.

Stuart, Miller, and Mitchell give the Blackhawks some additional options to consider over the next few weeks. The team also brought in veteran defenseman Cody Franson on a PTO, although there are indications he’s close to a lock to get a one-year deal once Marian Hossa goes on long-term injured reserve following the opening of the season.

Stuart, 33, played the past six seasons for the Winnipeg Jets. He’s a stay-at-home defenseman with a track record of ugly possession statistics and minimal offensive production, which begs the question of why the Hawks are interested in him. Presumably the main idea is simply to give Michal Kempny, Gustav Forsling, Erik Gustafsson, and Jordan Oesterle some extra competition in camp, although it would reflect pretty poorly on those four if Stuart earned playing time over them.

Mitchell, 32, is a bottom-six center who spent the past five seasons with the Colorado Avalanche. From 2012-13 through 2015-16, he had four straight seasons with 10-plus goals and 20-plus points, but like the rest of the Avs, his production collapsed last season with three goals and seven points in 65 games (yikes). He’s good at faceoffs (50.7 percent career rate) and could factor in on the fourth line, but you’d think the Hawks have better options between Tanner Kero, John Hayden, and Laurent Dauphin.

Miller, 33, is another bottom-six forward who played the past seven-plus seasons for the Detroit Red Wings. He’s posted some spectacularly bad possession numbers over the years, including a minus-14.4 percent Corsi Relative in 82 games in 2014-15. That means the Red Wings’ Corsi was nearly 15 percent lower with Miller on the ice compared to when he was off.

That’s almost unfathomably bad, and frankly, I’m almost mad that he’s even gotten a PTO. I get this follows the pattern of bringing in vets like Tommy Wingels and Lance Bouma to make the bottom six “tougher to play against,” but Miller’s numbers are horrid, even when accounting for being used in a defensive-minded role. There should be real reason for concern if he’s earned a contract by the start of the season.

So none of these additions are particularly notable, and it probably won’t be a great sign for the upcoming season if any of them make the roster. It makes sense to bring in older players to help set the tone in training camp and push the younger players, though, so hopefully that’s all this is.

Anyone think that any of those 3 plugs has any realistic chance of making that team??

[bubbsy]

Plenty of 'meh' there. I really thought a guy like hudler would get a pto and sign with a club like the hawks. Surprised no one has picked him up as yet.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Plenty of 'meh' there. I really thought a guy like hudler would get a pto and sign with a club like the hawks. Surprised no one has picked him up as yet.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler 2.0?

[Toonage]

If Vancouver wasn't flush with useless forwards I'd think Hudler would have signed a PTO there. Guess he still could, seems like a good fit. Small, slow, not Jake Virtanen.

Sorry Karl. On topic, Stuart is the only one I see with a chance.

[Karl]

Guys, what about Stuart, Mitchell and Miller??

Anyone think those guys have any realistic chance of actually getting a proper contract with the Blackhawks?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Tough to tell exactly how the Hawks cap situation is with Hossa going on LTIR. But it seems like they're always right on the verge. Cheap veteran depth can help when you're right up against it. Roszival is on his last legs there.

This will be the Oilers future in a few years. Trying to patch up their depth positions with people making league minimum cause you're paying a few guys the majority of the cap.

We need a capologist to educate us about exactly where CHI is at with the cap.

[Captaincanada80]

If there is a team that needs 650k contracts it's the Caps. My guess is Hudler lands in Washington.

[CalgaryFan1988]

All of these players on PTO's and unsigned, half of them are better than what Vegas has on their roster.

[alan21]

You get a PTO, you get a PTO! Everyone gets a PTO!

[Karl]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

All of these players on PTO's and unsigned, half of them are better than what Vegas has on their roster.

Maybe, but do you think Mark Stuart, Drew Miller and John Mitchell are better than what Vegas has??

[PegCityFlamesFan]

Stuart cannot play.

[Jacks]

All you kids out there, this is why you don't pay 2 players 21 million.

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Jacks

All you kids out there, this is why you don't pay 2 players 21 million.

I would gladly take those contracts in exchange for 3 cup wins.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by FlamingLonghorn

I would gladly take those contracts in exchange for 3 cup wins.

Cups came before those contracts

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Cups came before those contracts

3rd was after the contracts, I believe (signed before cup, start after). Which again I would probably take the contracts for 1 cup.

[GioforPM]

Is there a limit to PTOs per team? I guess the only downside is less ice-time for prospects and bubble players under contract.