Confirmed Trade: [CHI/OTT] Ville Pokka for Chris DiDomenico

[CallMeShaft]

Pokka was too slow for the Hawks and we had too many defensemen in Rockford.

Maybe he'll fit in better with Ottawa.

 

[Esq]

There are no winners or losers here.

Just meh.

 

[CommissionerGordon]

It's like a Derek Ryan situation. The guy gets to the NHL for the first time and puts up some surprising stats. Stan is trying to catch some lightning in a bottle. Or a rabbit in a hat. Unfortunately, I'd take Pokka - even though his production has stayed the same. It's possible with a slower style of play his skillset is a better fit.

Advantage: Ottawa by a nose

 

[BelovedIsles]

Pokka has certainly fallen in the prospect ranks. He was highly regarded when he was dealt for Nick Leddy.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Dido is not bad.. if it was just best players play .. he'd be in Ottawa ... He has some decent skill and could crack the Hawks ...I doubt Pokka is anymore than an AHL player

 

[playasRus]

Can he be a good D on a competent AHL team? Belleville's really been struggling to keep the puck out of their own net.

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

Can he be a good D on a competent AHL team? Belleville's really been struggling to keep the puck out of their own net.

He could be an .AHL all star. He just isn't an NHL dman

 

[LeonDraisaitl]

Buuuuut he has low top 4 defenseman potential on NHL 18

 

[Spectra]

I first said said about 3 years ago Pokka would never be a player for us, writing was on the wall. Still, DiDo obviously does nothing for us but can maybe play in the NHL at least. This is the last thought and bit of energy I will ever devote to this trade, that's how meaningless it is. When is the 2018 draft already...

 

[Revelation]

Someone in Ottawa is losing their job over this

Someone in Ottawa is drawing a paycheck?!

 

[BurgoShark]

Depth move for Ottawa. They just traded a D (Phaneuf) and therefore had to call one up from the minors (Harpur). Add to this that Wideman is out for the season, Oduya is most likely being traded before the deadline, and one of their RHD in the minors (Jaros) is currently on IR. They needed a warm body.

 

[glucker]

Because I thought this guy was like 23, and his production would be good for a 23 year old. But if you're 28, you don't have much room to grow as a player, at least compared to someone in their lower 20s.

Didomenico was a fantastic looking prospect. I remember him pissing off Crosby in the preseason, because he was checking him so tightly. Had some real offensive skill to... and then his femur exploded.

Good for him, getting to the NHL, and now to an NHL team too.

 

[Mestaruus]

It's definitely surprising Pokka isn't even a bottom pairing guy at this point. When he was drafted he was solid in Finland, just never took the next step.

I also was sure back in his U20 days that him and Esa Lindell would become solid NHL defenders. Only other one has done that so far, which is surprising to me.

I wonder how Ottawa will treat him. J.Jokipakka didn't get much of a chance to show in Ottawa. That was during last season I believe.

 

[Son of Petter]

We’re the only losers for 3 pages of discussion on this, the meh-est of meh trades that ever meh-ed.

There are no winners or losers here.

Just meh.

 

[JAS 39 Gripen]

Chris DiDomenico - best name in hockey today

 

[Jay haller]

What a terrible deal by Chicago they got FLEECED. Time for Toronto to offer lupul for debrincat!

 

[biturbo19]

Wasnt Pokka a good prospect

The sort of "good prospect" these boards often go gaga over, yeah. He always had some upside, but for a smallish defenceman who can't skate all that well...the sort of production that looks nice on paper doesn't often add up to a whole lot at the NHL level.

Last ditch make or break time for Pokka now. If the Sens continue the sell-off, he'll surely get an audition. If he doesn't make something of it, he'll be back in Europe next year (which he was probably headed for anyway).

No harm, no foul though. The return is just another minor leaguer who doesn't have the ability to translate up a level.

 

[EmeticDonut]

Oh look another re-tread for the Hawks.

 

[FinPanda]

It was known for a long time that Pokka wasn't going to get an oppurtunity with the Hawks. Even when he was up, they played the slow old guys before him. Very happy to see him get traded. Maybe now he even has a small chance to play in the NHL. It never wasn't going to happen with the Blackhawks.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

There are no winners or losers here.

Just meh.

False

Hawks are a pretty clear loser in all this given they walked away with nothing to show of Leddy trade

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

It was known for a long time that Pokka wasn't going to get an oppurtunity with the Hawks. Even when he was up, they played the slow old guys before him. Very happy to see him get traded. Maybe now he even has a small chance to play in the NHL. It never wasn't going to happen with the Blackhawks.

The slow old guys are faster then Pokka

 

[FinPanda]

The slow old guys are faster then Pokka

I don't think it's the only reason, he just wasn't going to get a chance.

 

[Esq]

False

Hawks are a pretty clear loser in all this given they walked away with nothing to show of Leddy trade

Pokka was a very good prospect at the time of the trade, and we couldn't have afforded to keep Leddy.

Hard to call us a "loser" when the trade made sense at the time.

Leddy wouldn't be a Hawk either way today.

 

[topshelf15]

Dido,is a smart player its really a shame that awful injury happened to him...Because you could see him easily being a solid top 9 nhler...He just doesnt have the speed, but the smarts and skill are there...

 

[paragon]

Gotta think this is Ville Pokka's last shot in the NHL before he fully enters the bust catagory

You mean his first shot? He hasn't had a chance to play a single game in the NHL yet.