What about Eller for Stalberg?

Or Eller, Diaz and a 2nd for Sharp?

Great read JJ!

On JVR, Toronto basically stole him from philly and I cant see the GM in Toronto saying, "No way! We gave up Luke Schenn for him." Schenn is hard to watch and a package of Stalberg and Mcneil may get that done.
- nickmo2699

Time will tell. I like Luke a lot. He's becoming a favorite on the flyers for me.

JVR is a solid player and if he can avoid the injury bug and level out his streakiness he'll be fantastic. For instance - Take out the Pitt Game (2 goals, 1 Asst) and JVR has 2 Goals, 0 Assts, Minus-4 in the other 7 games. Also look how his minutes have been decreasing from the first 3-4 games. Not sure its a total fleece by Toronto, granted its still early

Kruger could be effective as a 3rd or 4th line winger.

He doesn't need to play center his brains can be used while playing wing.

Both Kruger and Shaw might benefit with a move back.

Sorry Hawks fans, but you're dreaming if you think Toronto is going to give you JVR. There's absolutely zero chance. Bozak or Steckel sure; Grabovski, Kulemin, MacArthur, Komarov or McClement maybe, but definitely not JVR.
- fuzzyd

JVR is untouchable at this point. You don't trade a guy so soon after acquiring him. He's a top 6 forward of the future for this team.

Our "core" right now would be: Kessel,Lupul,Grabovski,JVR,Kulemin,Kadri,Frattin,Phaneuf,Gardiner and Liles

We'll be sellers at the deadline, no doubt. These players will be available

Pending UFAs
Tyler Bozak
Clarke MacArthur
Tim Connolly (minors)
David Steckel
Colton Orr
Mike Kostka

Carl Gunnarssson, Cody Franson and Leo Komarov are RFAs. Mid-range value guys without risk of losing to unrestricted free agency

2nd round pick

or maybe a B level prospect and a 4th?
- t_leafs21

We don't have a 2nd or a third this year (traded them for Oduya). Maybe Kyle Beach and a 4th in 2014.

I can't believe there's as much discussion around here as there is regarding 4th line centers being the missing piece. I understand the need for a 4th line that contributes (NJD in last year's playoffs), but if there was a #2C, Bolland could do what he does best. If they had a guy who could put his fat a$$ in front of a goalie, the Hawks would get more garbage goals. Marty Reasoner is a nice player, but how much does he bring to the table?

There's still a long ways to go this season. From the West, I can see Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas missing out on the playoffs. I'm sure there are some trade options there. Like JJ said, Stan has to have the stones to make a trade. If you think O'Reilly/Weiss/etc are the missing piece, gotta pull the trigger.

We don't have a 2nd or a third this year (traded them for Oduya). Maybe Kyle Beach and a 4th in 2014.
- DarthKane

Yeah, something along those lines. Tyler was a ufa college signing so anything you can get for him is money in the bank but we'd still like to get fair value

Great read as usual JJ! It is amazing to see all the clamour fans have to get Brouwer back now, but when he was in Chicago people clamoured because he did not rack up mounds of points on the first line (ala Saad now). I would love to see Ruutu back now, but think that his game has changed a bit. He is more fragile now and i liken him to a Finnish Roenick. Flew around with reckless abandon in his young Chicago years, traded away, suffered injuries, and would not be the same player should he return to Chicago (something JR never did). Needless to say, he still would make a nice addition. I would love to see JVR in Chicago, honestly I was hoping the Hawks took him over Kane years ago (big power forward over some small flash in the pan). Shows what I know, but I think JVR would fill the #1 LW Power Forward slot nicely. A modern day Tkachuk perhaps? I don't think the Hawks wold pull off that big of a trade and pretty sure that the Leafs would not deal their big acquisition from the offseason.

I can't believe there's as much discussion around here as there is regarding 4th line centers being the missing piece. I understand the need for a 4th line that contributes (NJD in last year's playoffs), but if there was a #2C, Bolland could do what he does best. If they had a guy who could put his fat a$$ in front of a goalie, the Hawks would get more garbage goals. Marty Reasoner is a nice player, but how much does he bring to the table?

There's still a long ways to go this season. From the West, I can see Colorado, Phoenix and Dallas missing out on the playoffs. I'm sure there are some trade options there. Like JJ said, Stan has to have the stones to make a trade. If you think O'Reilly/Weiss/etc are the missing piece, gotta pull the trigger.
- eburgio

I don't know that anyone is pining for a 4th line center as the answer to the Cup puzzle. I'm not. I'm just trying to be realistic about Stan and what might get done. I'd love Johan Franzen and Ryan Getzlaf. But...

I don't know that anyone is pining for a 4th line center as the answer to the Cup puzzle. I'm not. I'm just trying to be realistic about Stan and what might get done. I'd love Johan Franzen and Ryan Getzlaf. But...
- Kentxo

well, fair point. there's always the stan factor to consider. after all, he did just make a move trading Pete LeBlanc....

well, fair point. there's always the stan factor to consider. after all, he did just make a move trading Pete LeBlanc....
- eburgio

BLOCKBUSTER!!!!

Blake Wheeler?
- nickmo2699

Like him a lot

Clarkson? Holy hell yes.

Can't see JVR in a Hawk uni at this point. Seems like he's fitting in very nicely in T.O. and is quickly becoming a fan fave.

Jared Boll's a guy i've always liked. Aside from his prolific pugilism, he's a good skater that keeps the heads of puck retrieving d-men on a swivel. Still early in the season and Columbus could be a team on the rise, but should they pull the chute and fall to earth, Boll's a guy that could help us. Doesn't hurt that he's an Illinois lad either.
- philco28

Hey, hey, hey... I see you're out of the penalty box. Welcome back Philco!

I don't know that anyone is pining for a 4th line center as the answer to the Cup puzzle. I'm not. I'm just trying to be realistic about Stan and what might get done. I'd love Johan Franzen and Ryan Getzlaf. But...
- Kentxo

I think some realistic options could be Vermette (PHX - ownership sitch sux), Morrow and Roy (DAL UFA's to be), Ribiero (UFA to be), Clarkson (NJD). Realistic depending on what Stan will give up.

BLOCKBUSTER!!!!


- DarthKane

I know right. Future Considerations are looking pretty good right now. BTW...what does that mean? A future 7th round pick, a box of tape, a hand job?

No argument.

The question is, when you are within striking distance—at what point does maintaining the cap space for the future or holding onto prospects—become past the point of diminishing returns.

At some point, you have to do something with the cap space.

I think sometimes also, Hawk fans are all not on the same page. I think there are some who really are satisfied with a "winning team, a full building—but no bold ("risky") moves to really go for it in any year." You know, we're good enough to maybe have a shot for the next few years.

Some of us, myself included, feel that is a low percentage—though probably from a pure dollars and cents perspective—safe way to go.

Dean Lombardi, Ray Shero, Dale Tallon (even though technically he was gone at the time), Ken Holland have ALL won Cups. ALL have shown the willingness to go big to put their team over the top and worry about the dollars later.

The other "safe" approach really reminds me of Dollar Bill. The Hawks just wanted 1-3 rounds of playoffs every year. To quote Wirtz himself: "Stanley Cups? Those things are too expensive."

And anyone who wants to say, "you don't understand the CBA." Sorry, I understand it well enough. I counter with: you probably don't understand what it takes to win Stanley Cups.
- John Jaeckel

I thought it was WWW's father who said that.

Good piece JJ.

Wish Stan had some balls

I think some realistic options could be Vermette (PHX - ownership sitch sux), Morrow and Roy (DAL UFA's to be), Ribiero (UFA to be), Clarkson (NJD). Realistic depending on what Stan will give up.
- eburgio

Yes please. 2C and great FO% PHX got him for a 2nd, 5th and prospect I believe.

ughhh. Fine, I'll cave. Lalonde and Olsen
- FourFeathers773

I think that's the first time Dylan Olsen's name has been mentioned on these boards since last Spring.

Good piece JJ.

Wish Stan had some balls
- CBHawks88

I heard the wish genie in the Superbowl commercial granted his wish but all he got was a couple of bowling balls, to which he said meekly, "awesome!"

Yes please. 2C and great FO% PHX got him for a 2nd, 5th and prospect I believe.
- CBHawks88

He's 3.75 for two more years after this, which is affordable. The ownership situation in PHX is totally jacked up. I would not be shocked to see them move to QC or Seattle after this season

He's 3.75 for two more years after this, which is affordable. The ownership situation in PHX is totally jacked up. I would not be shocked to see them move to QC or Seattle after this season
- eburgio

I hope it's QC and they become the Nordiques.

He's 3.75 for two more years after this, which is affordable. The ownership situation in PHX is totally jacked up. I would not be shocked to see them move to QC or Seattle after this season
- eburgio

I heard Portland might be in the mix as well.

Like him a lot
- moylander

I think the Jets like Wheeler a lot too, aside from Kane he's their best forward so I doubt he goes anywhere.

Vermette would be a decent option as others have pointed out. He could be had for some on our mid-level prospects and a pick. If Phoenix continues to be out of the playoff hunt I wouldn't be surprised to see him go.