Leddy does two things very, very well: skate (think Paul Coffey) and shoot the puck. He's a good passer and is getting better in his end. And he's 21 with 2 yrs' NHL experience including playoffs.

I don't think the Hawks would remotely consider dealing him were it not for a possibly acrimonious relationship with his agent.
- John Jaeckel

Been reading this for a long time about this agent.

Like Boras in baseball - you can't run your team based on your relationship with an agent: if you want to keep Leddy on your team, you suck it up, hold your nose, and work with the agent to get it done.

I'm not talking about an agent who is asking for double what the player is "worth", but if the agent is a liar, a cheat, a scumbag, but there is still a deal to be made, you do it.

Smith didn't flail around like a pansy this time..............
- droe411

Smith didn't need to because he got hit for real this time.

Speaking of Phoenix, they have been in a bit of a free fall lately and have a tough schedule coming up (more on the road than at home too). Could they be potential trade partners? Steve Sullivan is one of my favorite ex-hawks and could still fill in on the top 6. I know I will get blasted for this, but how about Raffi Torres? He does provide a physical presence, can contribute offensively, and is a UFA. If nothing else, this at least this keeps him off an opposing team and his annual playoff concussing of one of our players.

Smith didn't need to because he got hit for real this time.

Speaking of Phoenix, they have been in a bit of a free fall lately and have a tough schedule coming up (more on the road than at home too). Could they be potential trade partners? Steve Sullivan is one of my favorite ex-hawks and could still fill in on the top 6. I know I will get blasted for this, but how about Raffi Torres? He does provide a physical presence, can contribute offensively, and is a UFA. If nothing else, this at least this keeps him off an opposing team and his annual playoff concussing of one of our players.
- 67hawks

I'd say no to Sullivan. Too small. We have enough of that on the team now.

As for Torres, it's an interesting idea. The only problem I can see is that he's eventually going to pull the same crap again, and then he'll be out for another stretch of time. If that happens, it would really be a waste of a trade deadline move.

Interesting comments on the TSN site from Canuck fans about the Smith hit. Smith got it because "he deserved it" (wandering from net, hurting Sedin when it was actually Sedin running into Smith).

Yet when a Canuck "deserves it", bring on the lynch mob.

Smith didn't need to because he got hit for real this time.

Speaking of Phoenix, they have been in a bit of a free fall lately and have a tough schedule coming up (more on the road than at home too). Could they be potential trade partners? Steve Sullivan is one of my favorite ex-hawks and could still fill in on the top 6. I know I will get blasted for this, but how about Raffi Torres? He does provide a physical presence, can contribute offensively, and is a UFA. If nothing else, this at least this keeps him off an opposing team and his annual playoff concussing of one of our players.
- 67hawks

Seriously? I know hockey players are tough and can put things in the past but the issues with this guy are the exception to the rule. After Torres' hits on Seabrook and Hossa he would not be welcome in the dressing room.

Kiprusoff? No thanks. But I'm willing to take the abuse for what I'm going to say. When all is said and done this season, Crawfords "hot start" (and there's no denying he has been very good to this point) may be the worse thing that could have happened to the Hawks. We've seen Crawford look good, even great, for half seasons at a time before and it was just an upward blip on the radar, not a break through to stardom. Or even consistancy. I like the kid and I think he works hard, but I don't think he's mentally tough enough to fight through the grind and reach the top of the mountain. I'm going to watch and pray I'm wrong because now an upgrade in goal carries zero priority with the front office. If it ever had any in the first place.

Smith didn't need to because he got hit for real this time.

Speaking of Phoenix, they have been in a bit of a free fall lately and have a tough schedule coming up (more on the road than at home too). Could they be potential trade partners? Steve Sullivan is one of my favorite ex-hawks and could still fill in on the top 6. I know I will get blasted for this, but how about Raffi Torres? He does provide a physical presence, can contribute offensively, and is a UFA. If nothing else, this at least this keeps him off an opposing team and his annual playoff concussing of one of our players.
- 67hawks

I can imagine how that would go? Stanbow calls down to the dressing room on April 3 and asks Seabs and Hossa to come up to his office. "Boys, relax I'm not trading either of you. But I do need a favour cause I'm busy as hell filling out reports for McDonagh - could you guys take your new teammate Raffi Torres on a city tour and buy him some lunch and get acquainted?"

I can imagine how that would go? Stanbow calls down to the dressing room on April 3 and asks Seabs and Hossa to come up to his office. "Boys, relax I'm not trading either of you. But I do need a favour cause I'm busy as hell filling out reports for McDonagh - could you guys take your new teammate Raffi Torres on a city tour and buy him some lunch and get acquainted?"
- RickJ

LMAO

Interesting comments on the TSN site from Canuck fans about the Smith hit. Smith got it because "he deserved it" (wandering from net, hurting Sedin when it was actually Sedin running into Smith).

Yet when a Canuck "deserves it", bring on the lynch mob.
- 67hawks

Every fan is biased towards their own team, but the Canucks fans seem to be a little more so. On their message board (CDC) they're calling Shaw's hit much worse than Edler's. They're similar situations and will likely draw similar suspensions.

Been reading this for a long time about this agent.

Like Boras in baseball - you can't run your team based on your relationship with an agent: if you want to keep Leddy on your team, you suck it up, hold your nose, and work with the agent to get it done.

I'm not talking about an agent who is asking for double what the player is "worth", but if the agent is a liar, a cheat, a scumbag, but there is still a deal to be made, you do it.
- StLBravesFan

I believe JJ is implying to what the agent might be asking for money wise and might pull a Ryan O'Reilly deal out of his butt. Can the Hawks justify a $5 million dollar deal for Leddy? Don't dismiss this. Calgary did it for O'Reilly. Buffalo, Florida and some others might do the same on Leddy seeing him as a top pairing puck moving Dman. Then it will be back in the Hawks court on what to do. Match or accept the picks?

Smith didn't need to because he got hit for real this time.

Speaking of Phoenix, they have been in a bit of a free fall lately and have a tough schedule coming up (more on the road than at home too). Could they be potential trade partners? Steve Sullivan is one of my favorite ex-hawks and could still fill in on the top 6. I know I will get blasted for this, but how about Raffi Torres? He does provide a physical presence, can contribute offensively, and is a UFA. If nothing else, this at least this keeps him off an opposing team and his annual playoff concussing of one of our players.
- 67hawks

BOOM! The 'Hawks can get a player to up their physical play w/o it being a complete @$$hole of goon. Why Q didn't dress Bollig that night in Jan and let him pummel Torres is beyond me.

Torres is a fraction of a step less egregious as that felon, Bertuzzi.

I can imagine how that would go? Stanbow calls down to the dressing room on April 3 and asks Seabs and Hossa to come up to his office. "Boys, relax I'm not trading either of you. But I do need a favour cause I'm busy as hell filling out reports for McDonagh - could you guys take your new teammate Raffi Torres on a city tour and buy him some lunch and get acquainted?"
- RickJ

Kiprusoff? No thanks. But I'm willing to take the abuse for what I'm going to say. When all is said and done this season, Crawfords "hot start" (and there's no denying he has been very good to this point) may be the worse thing that could have happened to the Hawks. We've seen Crawford look good, even great, for half seasons at a time before and it was just an upward blip on the radar, not a break through to stardom. Or even consistancy. I like the kid and I think he works hard, but I don't think he's mentally tough enough to fight through the grind and reach the top of the mountain. I'm going to watch and pray I'm wrong because now an upgrade in goal carries zero priority with the front office. If it ever had any in the first place.
- Hal9000y2k

As long as the Hawk D stays relatively healthy—which should happen because they are so deep—goaltending is not a problem this year.

I'm coming around a bit on C2. Not sure he's legitimately one of the best keepers in the NHL as his current stats and some overzealous types might suggest. But as long as he keeps his technique, he's a pretty good goalie. And that glove is very good, IMO.

As Al has often said, good enough to win with this team in front of him.

Every fan is biased towards their own team, but the Canucks fans seem to be a little more so. On their message board (CDC) they're calling Shaw's hit much worse than Edler's. They're similar situations and will likely draw similar suspensions.
- DarthKane

Their fans appear to look through the same sort of glasses as their GM and coach, or so it seems.

As long as the Hawk D stays relatively healthy—which should happen because they are so deep—goaltending is not a problem this year.

I'm coming around a bit on C2. Not sure he's legitimately one of the best keepers in the NHL as his current stats and some overzealous types might suggest. But as long as he keeps his technique, he's a pretty good goalie. And that glove is very good, IMO.

As Al has often said, good enough to win with this team in front of him.
- John Jaeckel

So outside of a notable move for another D-man JJ, who could be this years' Nick Boynton?

I can imagine how that would go? Stanbow calls down to the dressing room on April 3 and asks Seabs and Hossa to come up to his office. "Boys, relax I'm not trading either of you. But I do need a favour cause I'm busy as hell filling out reports for McDonagh - could you guys take your new teammate Raffi Torres on a city tour and buy him some lunch and get acquainted?"
- RickJ

I believe JJ is implying to what the agent might be asking for money wise and might pull a Ryan O'Reilly deal out of his butt. Can the Hawks justify a $5 million dollar deal for Leddy? Don't dismiss this. Calgary did it for O'Reilly. Buffalo, Florida and some others might do the same on Leddy seeing him as a top pairing puck moving Dman. Then it will be back in the Hawks court on what to do. Match or accept the picks?
- jimmy33

If Leddy is not dealt before qualifying offers go out, his QO will need to be be pretty high. The issue could be fitting that under the cap with the money necessary for Stalberg, Kruger and Bickell.

If they can only afford a middling QO, then they set themselves up for an offer sheet.

So outside of a notable move for another D-man JJ, who could be this years' Nick Boynton?
- blackhawk24

You mean a depth d-man added for Rockford/playoffs?

If that's the question, I don't see them dealing for that guy (barring injury). That guy (the #8 dman) would likely be Ryan Stanton, who would get some NHL pt later in the season.

You mean a depth d-man added for Rockford/playoffs?
- John Jaeckel

You mean Montador, right?

If Leddy is not dealt before qualifying offers go out, his QO will need to be be pretty high. The issue could be fitting that under the cap with the money necessary for Stalberg, Kruger and Bickell.

If they can only afford a middling QO, then they set themselves up for an offer sheet.
- John Jaeckel

So what comes first, QO deadline or compliance buyout(s)? Or doesn't it matter?

Figured if these compliance buyout(s) can affect a teams' QO ability, the 'Hawks would buyout Olesz and Montador ASAP.

If Leddy is not dealt before qualifying offers go out, his QO will need to be be pretty high. The issue could be fitting that under the cap with the money necessary for Stalberg, Kruger and Bickell.

If they can only afford a middling QO, then they set themselves up for an offer sheet.
- John Jaeckel

I know several of us have been high on Kruger the past couple year, but could he be the odd man out? Shaw has taken the 3C role and it's his now. Kruger hasn't had much success in the top 6 so I doubt there's a home for him there. Kruger could replace Bickell (if he's not re-signed) on Shaw's wing but that's about it. If another team wants Kruger maybe he goes?

You mean a depth d-man added for Rockford/playoffs?

If that's the question, I don't see them dealing for that guy (barring injury). That guy (the #8 dman) would likely be Ryan Stanton, who would get some NHL pt later in the season.
- John Jaeckel

Depth D-man for playoffs.

Stanton, eh? How likely? Well more than 50% chance?

You mean Montador, right?
- EKolb13

I am hearing Monty has played his last game in a Hawk sweater. Hawks are actually hoping someone will ask for him as their depth guy before the deadline. Although if he is in the organization and healthy during the playoffs, and there was a need, then yeah, they'd likely bring him up.

So what comes first, QO deadline or compliance buyout(s)? Or doesn't it matter?

Figured if these compliance buyout(s) can affect a teams' QO ability, the 'Hawks would buyout Olesz and Montador ASAP.
- blackhawk24

Those appear to be the guys.

I know several of us have been high on Kruger the past couple year, but could he be the odd man out? Shaw has taken the 3C role and it's his now. Kruger hasn't had much success in the top 6 so I doubt there's a home for him there. Kruger could replace Bickell (if he's not re-signed) on Shaw's wing but that's about it. If another team wants Kruger maybe he goes?
- DarthKane

In my eyes Krugman shouldn't require that rich a contract so he should be a guy that should stick around. Decent player with what could be a decent contract.