But if all guys are on a 1-10 scale and he's a 7 in the regular season and a 9.5 in the playoffs, so then he's not a 10. But he's net a lot better than most guys. So who cares? $5 million a year isn't that much. See Getzlaf's deal? Shawn Horcoff? Volchenkov? Etc.
- John Jaeckel

I don't disagree. But in terms of the Hawks how do you fit him under the cap starting next season?

If Stan wants to shine - offer up Keith for Buff +. Keith does wonders for the home team, and the Blackhawks get what they need.

If Stan wants to shine - offer up Keith for Buff +. Keith does wonders for the home team, and the Blackhawks get what they need.
- powerenforcer

No Way. For all the crap that Keith takes on this board, some of it deservedly so, he is a better player than Buff and removing Keith from this D corp weakens this team in ways that Buff does not replace.

No Way. For all the crap that Keith takes on this board, some of it deservedly so, he is a better player than Buff and removing Keith from this D corp weakens this team in ways that Buff does not replace.
- TheTrob

I wouldn't trade Keith for him.

But if all guys are on a 1-10 scale and he's a 7 in the regular season and a 9.5 in the playoffs, so then he's not a 10. But he's net a lot better than most guys. So who cares? $5 million a year isn't that much. See Getzlaf's deal? Shawn Horcoff? Volchenkov? Etc.
- John Jaeckel

Compared to who? At what position?

What is Campbell?
What is Keith?
What is Hammer?

So there is some point of reference.

And one stellar playoff. That is it. 08-09 was all Havlat with the exception of Kane dumping a hatty on Vancouver.

EXACTLY. Which was why, along with 11 huge goals, he deserved the Smythe in 2010.

And . .

In 2006, when he came into camp at 245, I saw him skate Fedorov down at full flight from behind in an exhibition game. Kid is an amazing athlete.
- John Jaeckel

He also out wheeled Gaborik to pot an OT winner in 09 or 10'.

Buff - at 265 - really has no physical match in this league. Only Chara comes close as far as athletic big men go.

You trade Bolland in the offseason
- Greek7

You are oficially invited to Bollus day...

You trade Bolland in the offseason
- Greek7

Thats only a start Buff - Bolland = $2mil more against the cap. Leaves you only 3mil or so to sign 6 more players and your FA's

Well, with Buff on D the Hawks were headed for a first round exit in the playoffs in 2010. Luckily Campbell came back 2 weeks early ( and against Doctors orders too...) and Buff was put at forward where he had two very good series against San Jose and Vancouver. And he was a very mixed bag against Flyers. Some great moments but he also had a couple games wear Pronger erased him....

Not taking anything away from him.... Would like him as a forward who played the point on a PP. But he aint coming here. And I'm more than cool with that.

EXACTLY. Which was why, along with 11 huge goals, he deserved the Smythe in 2010.

And . .

In 2006, when he came into camp at 245, I saw him skate Fedorov down at full flight from behind in an exhibition game. Kid is an amazing athlete.
- John Jaeckel

Could we trade sharp + for buff instead of leddy

I wouldn't trade Keith for him.
- John Jaeckel

Byfuglien is a bottom pair Dman and a Stud in front of the net, but would not do this trade either, unless it was an expanded package.


Just for fun to get True Grit going a bit

In the off season assuming they sign Leddy long term.

Bolland, McNeil, and Keith for Byfuglien and E Kane
or
Sharp,Keith and McNeil for Byfuglien and E Kane

I wouldn't trade Keith for him.
- John Jaeckel

That is why I added the +. Never 1 for 1.

Anyone who would trade Keith for Buff is flat out of their mind.

Buff in high school played a game with the team I was on over at Johnny's ice house for the sunday morning league and this league had alot or mostly division one players and he held his own. Man it is amazing how the game has changed with the size and skill of these players now

Compared to who? At what position?

What is Campbell?
What is Keith?
What is Hammer?

So there is some point of reference.

And one stellar playoff. That is it. 08-09 was all Havlat with the exception of Kane dumping a hatty on Vancouver.
- fattybeef

2008-09 playoffs . . . 17 games, 3 goals, 6 assists (important ones) and . . . 78 hits (most of any player not in the finals, and many of them, umm, left marks)

Here's one benchmark. There are certainly others.

http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/feature/?ID=10467

Can Keith or Campbell play W like Byfuglien can? Set a screen? Deliver a huge check and completely demoralize a guy to the point of making him quit as I have SEEN Byfuglien do to the likes of Chris Pronger and Corey Perry?

I dunno how you quantify that.

Byfuglien is a bottom pair Dman and a Stud in front of the net, but would not do this trade either, unless it was an expanded package.


Just for fun to get True Grit going a bit

In the off season assuming they sign Leddy long term.

Bolland, McNeil, and Keith for Byfuglien and E Kane
or
Sharp,Keith and McNeil for Byfuglien and E Kane
- Greek7

It is a beautiful friday and my anger management therapy is working like a charm. It is all fun to throw stuff out there, but there is not chance for any of this to happen.

But have at it.

Today's article....

Chicago Blackhawks top performers help take down Columbus - OT changes + a trade thought- Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/YfYvKw

On Twitter@ AlCimaglia
- Al

There is a guy, also named Al Cimaglia, taking advantage of your hockey audience to hawk real estate at the top of your Fox page. Is there no shame?

hearing asking price for Iginla right now is very rich

Roster player, top prospect, and a 1st

Well, with Buff on D the Hawks were headed for a first round exit in the playoffs in 2010. Luckily Campbell came back 2 weeks early ( and against Doctors orders too...) and Buff was put at forward where he had two very good series against San Jose and Vancouver. And he was a very mixed bag against Flyers. Some great moments but he also had a couple games wear Pronger erased him....

Not taking anything away from him.... Would like him as a forward who played the point on a PP. But he aint coming here. And I'm more than cool with that.
- yahoodi

That is weak logic. So you're implying Byfuglien was to blame for the fact that the Hawk forwards could not adjust to the dump and chase style game Nashville forced them int0—all while Byfuglien was forced to play D‚ and as I recall was pretty solid.

Byfuglien, as much as any one or any thing, wore Pronger down in that series. it was PRONGER who disappeared on the back end of that series.

I will do this for the third blog in a row and still yet to get a response. It is not a gotcha, but looking for someone more informed than me to answer.

That is, Stalberg is a UFA at season end. Who trades for him without a longer term deal? More importantly, who gives any value for a guy that would likely walk at the end of the year?

When talking about Stalberg trades, is it/can it be done where he signs a deal before being moved. Can prospective team negotiate with him in advance of a trade?

This is my hang up and do not know NHL customs regarding this. All things being equal, I have a hard time thinking Stalberg does not play the year out and evaluate all his options. It would have to be something compelling to get him to commit.

Can somebody help reconcile or handicapp the situation?

And he was a very mixed bag against Flyers. Some great moments but he also had a couple games wear Pronger erased him.....
- yahoodi

If anything, Buff neutralized Pronger... ESPECIALLY once the stripes called Pronger for all his typical BS and the Hawks capitalized on the ensuing powerplays.

Buff absolutely went toe to toe Pronger in that series which was no small feat. He bested him physically and mentally.

Byfuglien was more of a factor in that series than Toews was.

hearing asking price for Iginla right now is very rich

Roster player, top prospect, and a 1st
- FourFeathers773

So . . . Stalberg, McNeill and a 25th-30th pick? Dunno . . . not that bad a deal, IMO

If anything, Buff neutralized Pronger... ESPECIALLY once the stripes called Pronger for all his typical BS and the Hawks capitalized on the ensuing powerplays.

Buff absolutely went toe to toe Pronger in that series which was no small feat. He bested him physically and mentally.

Byfuglien was more of a factor in that series than Toews was.
- AceRatbang

Exactly, Thank you.

I will do this for the third blog in a row and still yet to get a response. It is not a gotcha, but looking for someone more informed than me to answer.

That is, Stalberg is a UFA at season end. Who trades for him without a longer term deal? More importantly, who gives any value for a guy that would likely walk at the end of the year?

When talking about Stalberg trades, is it/can it be done where he signs a deal before being moved. Can prospective team negotiate with him in advance of a trade?

This is my hang up and do not know NHL customs regarding this. All things being equal, I have a hard time thinking Stalberg does not play the year out and evaluate all his options. It would have to be something compelling to get him to commit.

Can somebody help reconcile or handicapp the situation?
- TrueGrit

Any team that has the cap room and willingness to pay him $3 million or so per year on a 3-4 year deal. Of which, there are likely more than a few.

So . . . Stalberg, McNeill and a 25th-30th pick? Dunno . . . not that bad a deal, IMO
- John Jaeckel

more info specified now that they are looking for a top 4 d prospect