JJ

If the Hawks put Keith up for trade next summer, what kind of return do you think they would get?
- Greek7

Very little. Albatross contract for one, and secondly, he has a NMC.

This is why you're hearing things trickle about him being involved in trade talks, whether initiated by the Hawks ior other teams. Other teams are not dumb and know Bowman has 4 FAs to get signed, all of whom have stepped up this year, might also be aware of the whole Neil Sheehy thing.

Hawks might want trade whispers out there to motivate Leddy to sign now. And/or they might legitimately want to explore what is out there in terms of offers because they DEFINITELY want to avoid the offer sheet situation.
- John Jaeckel

My question is does Leddy like it in Chicago, or does he not care where he plays and it is all about the money? I know with agents it's all about the money, but sometimes you stay where you are comfortable. Does he feel he is not being used properly on the 3rd line and thinks he is first or second line material already?? Because I don't think he is ready yet!!!!

Leddy is ready to replace Keith on the PP. Leddy + another Dman is ready to replace Keith's minutes.
- powerenforcer

I'll agree to the idea of Leddy on the PP, but to say he can replace Keith's play and minutes is crazy talk.

JJ

If the Hawks put Keith up for trade next summer, what kind of return do you think they would get?
- Greek7

Good player, good prospect, #1 pick.

I also don't see them dealing him, FWIW

TA DA!!!!!
- John Jaeckel

I'll take mine in road white.

I'll agree to the idea of Leddy on the PP, but to say he can replace Keith's play and minutes is crazy talk.
- EKolb13

Leddy + another dman. I never said Leddy himself can replace Keith.

Reading Comprehension 101 is needed here sometimes

I'll take mine in road white.
- Beaver-Warrior

Speaking on "Road White"

Am I the only one that misses the home team wearing white ??

Leddy + another dman. I never said Leddy himself can replace Keith.

Reading Comprehension 101 is needed here sometimes
- powerenforcer

Relax

Leddy + another dman. I never said Leddy himself can replace Keith.

Reading Comprehension 101 is needed here sometimes
- powerenforcer

OK, Leddy + another defenseman still equals crazy talk.

Speaking on "Road White"

Am I the only one that misses the home team wearing white ??
- mrpaulish

No.

It is about time to flip things though to make people buy the other color for home games.

This is why you're hearing things trickle about him being involved in trade talks, whether initiated by the Hawks ior other teams. Other teams are not dumb and know Bowman has 4 FAs to get signed, all of whom have stepped up this year, might also be aware of the whole Neil Sheehy thing.

Hawks might want trade whispers out there to motivate Leddy to sign now. And/or they might legitimately want to explore what is out there in terms of offers because they DEFINITELY want to avoid the offer sheet situation.
- John Jaeckel

I'll tell you what I am very afraid of...come April 3rd at 2:01 pm

"We like our team...Getting Sharp back is like adding a top player. We have quality depth in Rockford that can supplement any injury"

At that moment I will lose it, and prepare myself mentally for another flame out in the postseason.

I will say this, what will be curious to see is WHAT the expectations are for this team...Lovie Smith got fired after going 10-6. If this team flames out in the 1st round does mean Quenneville and Bowman get axed this summer? Gotta wonder what the magical number of playoff wins are that will salvage both guys jobs.

In a shortened season, Rockwell Wirtz can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue.

Speaking on "Road White"

Am I the only one that misses the home team wearing white ??
- mrpaulish

No, I miss the home team wearing white as well. I think it's better to see the visiting teams colors.

My question is does Leddy like it in Chicago, or does he not care where he plays and it is all about the money? I know with agents it's all about the money, but sometimes you stay where you are comfortable. Does he feel he is not being used properly on the 3rd line and thinks he is first or second line material already?? Because I don't think he is ready yet!!!!
- moots

I have no idea what his personal thought process is. I will say: how does he crack a top 4 of Hjalmarsson, Oduya, Keith and Seabrook?

Maybe the Hawks get rid of Hjalmarsson when his deal is up in 2014. But then they have three small puck rushers in their top 4, and voluntarily saying goodbye to Hjalmarsson when he's arguably your best pure defenseman?

It has seemed to me and others that the last seat left in Musical Chairs goes to either Hjalmarsson or Leddy. Leddy has stepped up, but Hjalmarsson has taken a giant step up. It is no longer simply: trade Hammer.

Is it not also true that in the event a player who has one of these deals for life retires early after being traded to another team that the original signing team takes the cap hit penalty for the differential?

If that is the case then Keith and Hossa are lifers. It is your only measure of control over an unforseen cap hit.

I'll agree to the idea of Leddy on the PP, but to say he can replace Keith's play and minutes is crazy talk.
- EKolb13

A year from now if he keeps on improving, I'm not so sure...

Keith has plateaued badly...You could argue he is WORSE today then he was in 2010.

He's the 3rd best option to score from the point behind Seabrook and Leddy.

I'll tell you what I am very afraid of...come April 3rd at 2:01 pm

"We like our team...Getting Sharp back is like adding a top player. We have quality depth in Rockford that can supplement any injury"

At that moment I will lose it, and prepare myself mentally for another flame out in the postseason.

I will say this, what will be curious to see is WHAT the expectations are for this team...Lovie Smith got fired after going 10-6. If this team flames out in the 1st round does mean Quenneville and Bowman get axed this summer? Gotta wonder what the magical number of playoff wins are that will salvage both guys jobs.

In a shortened season, Rockwell Wirtz can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue.
- SteveRain

This might happen but doubtful. He will do something. I wish for a 2nd line center and a face off specialist with grit for line 4. I will settle for that 4th line specialist! It is imperative that he gets something done leading into the playoffs to give us a better chance!

I'll tell you what I am very afraid of...come April 3rd at 2:01 pm

"We like our team...Getting Sharp back is like adding a top player. We have quality depth in Rockford that can supplement any injury"

At that moment I will lose it, and prepare myself mentally for another flame out in the postseason.

I will say this, what will be curious to see is WHAT the expectations are for this team...Lovie Smith got fired after going 10-6. If this team flames out in the 1st round does mean Quenneville and Bowman get axed this summer? Gotta wonder what the magical number of playoff wins are that will salvage both guys jobs.

In a shortened season, Rockwell Wirtz can't afford to miss out on playoff revenue.
- SteveRain

No question in my mind. A 2nd round exit also could cost one or both their jobs. Expectations are now sky high.

Speaking on "Road White"

Am I the only one that misses the home team wearing white ??
- mrpaulish

Count me in on that Brother. Give thought of saying make mine in former Home White.

I have no idea what his personal thought process is. I will say: how does he crack a top 4 of Hjalmarsson, Oduya, Keith and Seabrook?

Maybe the Hawks get rid of Hjalmarsson when his deal is up in 2014. But then they have three small puck rushers in their top 4, and voluntarily saying goodbye to Hjalmarsson when he's arguably your best pure defenseman?

It has seemed to me and others that the last seat left in Musical Chairs goes to either Hjalmarsson or Leddy. Leddy has stepped up, but Hjalmarsson has taken a giant step up. It is no longer simply: trade Hammer.
- John Jaeckel

Being lazy here, but Leddy can assume some of Oduya's work next year and thereafter? And if he does, Oduya can become expendible next year perhaps. Plus, he can teach Nick Swedish, which will help him working with Hammer.

I'll tell you what I am very afraid of...come April 3rd at 2:01 pm

"We like our team...Getting Sharp back is like adding a top player. We have quality depth in Rockford that can supplement any injury"


- SteveRain

Dude, I was just going to write the exact same thing.

He will of course add that "while there may have been some deals to be made out there, the asking prices were just too high."

But cheer up, we may get a guy like Marcel Goc to get us over the hump.

I have no idea what his personal thought process is. I will say: how does he crack a top 4 of Hjalmarsson, Oduya, Keith and Seabrook?

Maybe the Hawks get rid of Hjalmarsson when his deal is up in 2014. But then they have three small puck rushers in their top 4, and voluntarily saying goodbye to Hjalmarsson when he's arguably your best pure defenseman?

It has seemed to me and others that the last seat left in Musical Chairs goes to either Hjalmarsson or Leddy. Leddy has stepped up, but Hjalmarsson has taken a giant step up. It is no longer simply: trade Hammer.
- John Jaeckel

This is where the "Trade Keith" logic makes sense in about a year from now if Leddy keeps trending up.

Count me in on that Brother. Give thought of saying make mine in former Home White.
- Beaver-Warrior

I, too, miss the home whites!!!

A year from now if he keeps on improving, I'm not so sure...

Keith has plateaued badly...You could argue he is WORSE today then he was in 2010.

He's the 3rd best option to score from the point behind Seabrook and Leddy.
- SteveRain

Keith is a wacky dude. I hear he is almost kind of OCD about certain things. Tends to fixate on or worry about kind of trivial things. But maybe along with that, he seems to really get it lasered in sometimes, like in round 1 vs. Vancouver in 2011, where he is a great defenseman. I also liked his game in Anaheim when Seabrook was wearing the Clown Shoes. I think we also tend to take for granted the minutes he logs and the players he goes up against.

I would not just throw this guy out.

I have no idea what his personal thought process is. I will say: how does he crack a top 4 of Hjalmarsson, Oduya, Keith and Seabrook?

Maybe the Hawks get rid of Hjalmarsson when his deal is up in 2014. But then they have three small puck rushers in their top 4, and voluntarily saying goodbye to Hjalmarsson when he's arguably your best pure defenseman?

It has seemed to me and others that the last seat left in Musical Chairs goes to either Hjalmarsson or Leddy. Leddy has stepped up, but Hjalmarsson has taken a giant step up. It is no longer simply: trade Hammer.
- John Jaeckel

I don't think this team can afford to give up Seabrook OR Hammer at this point. They have no replacements.

Being lazy here, but Leddy can assume some of Oduya's work next year and thereafter? And if he does, Oduya can become expendible next year perhaps. Plus, he can teach Nick Swedish, which will help him working with Hammer.
- TrueGrit

Ummm, maybe. Dunno.