Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Hawks v. Kings Teaser + Kempny Traded

February 19, 2018, 11:58 AM ET [282 Comments]
Tyler Cameron
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


UPDATE: Michal Kempny has been traded to the Washington Capitals for a 3rd round pick in 2018. The Blackhawks now have 7 picks again in the upcoming draft after trade (1st, 3rd, 3rd, 5th, 5th, 6th, 7th).

The Hawks get back into the win column with a decisive 7-1 over the Washington Capitals on Saturday because, why not? This is the 2017-18 Chicago Blackhawks.

The LA Kings currently sit 2 points out of the WC#2 spot so you know they will be hungry for a win.

They are 6-4 in their last 10 games and have a solid road record of 17-13-2.

Dion Phaneuf has been inserted into this Kings lineup as they make their push for the playoffs; a solid addition on the ice but that salary is tough to swallow. Although this isn’t a huge hit as oft-injured Marian Gaborik went the other way to Ottawa as a salary dump.

It sounds like Ottawa will be buying Gaborik out after this season. This all leads to the Senators clearing more space for Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, etc.

Keeping with the theme, there has been more chatter with teams as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches.

The familiar theory for the Blackhawks this deadline is that they will send the likes of Kempny, Bouma and Wingels packing for the best pick(s) and/or prospect(s) they can round up.

I have not heard anything specific on Connor Murphy, but it’s been a tough year for him, however, I think he has more potential that has yet to be uncovered with the Hawks.

If he does get shipped out, it signals to me that A) Stan Bowman believes he’s not a fit or has value at his contract amount for this team. B) received an offer that would improve this Hawks team that he couldn’t turn down. C) Joel Quenneville might be sticking around next year as it’s evident that Murphy is not his “favourite” and has used him in limited minutes.

Finally, I’ve heard the Hawks are scouting Europe pretty hard so don’t be surprised if rumblings of a signing (or an actually signing) happens. I’ve been told the Swedish league is somewhere the Hawks have been revisiting a lot as of late.

See ya out there.

JL


--

Who we got tonight: Los Angeles Kings


Season Matchup: 2nd matchup of the year

Chicago
Los Angeles ✓ (Dec 3rd: 3-1)


31-22-5 = 67 points
5th in Pacific
Last game: WON vs. Buffalo (4-2) on Saturday
GF: 165 (20th in NHL) / GA: 145 (2nd in NHL)
PP% =19.4% (17th in NHL)
PK% =83.4% (3rd in NHL)
Sniper: Anze Kopitar – 25 goals
Producer: Anze Kopitar – 63 points
Tough Guys: – Kurtis MacDermid - 57 PIMs & Dustin Brown - 147 hits
Expected Starter: Jonathan Quick

---
Join the Discussion: » 282 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Tyler Cameron
» Farewell
» My Favourite Blackhawks Team
» What's the future in net for the Blackhawks?
» What could the Blackhawks look like next year?
» Mailbag - Blackhawks Postmortem Edition