Defenseman could fill need for shot-blocker along Hawks’ back line
If new Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan comes close to resembling Niklas Hjalmarsson, the Hawks will be overjoyed.
De Haan feels the same way.
“I saw some tweets yesterday that I might be the next-best thing to Nik Hjalmarsson that the Blackhawks have had in a while,” de Haan said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. “So that’s a compliment. That guy’s had a great career and that’s a player I like to play like. Nothing flashy, just get the job done, and I hope Blackhawks fans will really appreciate my game.”
The Hawks have had a glaring need for a stay-at-home, shot-blocking defenseman ever since they traded Hjalmarsson to the Coyotes two years ago. Last week
The similarities between Maatta and de Haan are hardly surprising. Hawks general manager Stan Bowman made it clear he was intent on improving a defense that allowed the second-most goals in the league last season.
De Haan seemed like a fit for the Hawks last year when he was a free agent but ended up signing a four-year deal with the Hurricanes. He said Tuesday the Hawks never attempted to sign him.
“The overall feeling I have to the trade was I’m still kind of in shock, to be honest,” de Haan said. “I didn’t think it was going to be me. After Carolina signed me last summer, my fiancee and I thought we were going to have some roots there. But I get it — it’s a business.
“Looking back on it now, it’s only been 16 hours, but it’s been a whirlwind. I’m really looking forward to it now. I feel like I’m wanted and I’m really looking forward to this opportunity with this organization.”
The addition of de Haan gives the Hawks seven defensemen with at least a year of NHL experience, a group that doesn’t include 2017 first-round draft pick Henri Jokiharju.
Bowman did not speak to reporters Tuesday, but in an interview with WSCR-AM 670, he indicated that he might not deal any of his current blueliners and that Jokiharju could spend more time in Rockford.
“Over the course of a year, you use a lot of defensemen,” Bowman said. “Even though we brought a few veterans in, it’s not like you just use six defensemen all year. Most of the time you probably use 12 to 13 defensemen with injuries.
“The long-range projection is still great for Henri, and he’s done something great coming in under the age of 20 and playing in the league as a defenseman.”
De Haan, 28, spent a year playing with Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton for Bridgeport of the American Hockey League when both were in the Islanders system. They hadn’t spoken as of Tuesday afternoon, but he has good memories of Colliton.
“He was our captain,” de Haan said. “It was my first year coming in and playing pro hockey, so it was great to have a leader like him. … It all made sense on why he’s an NHL coach.
“He just seems to have those leadership qualities. Down-to-earth person (who) can find a way to explain things to us dumb hockey players. He just always has a good message, and I can see why he’s had success so far.”
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