I would too but this reminds me of last year when everyone knew Bolland would be traded at the draft even though there weren't really any strong rumors of it. Oduya is in his early 30's, has 1 year left on deal which is over $3mil, Hawks need cap space, etc. It all adds up to him being dealt.
- dan9189

I dont like it, just like i dont like the team being $1.5 mil under the cap or whatever it is. I think Sharp should go for someone other than Kesler, like Vermette or Neilsen, or Eller, or whatever else would be a good player/cap savings.

Smith was a strict 4th liner - averaged about 12 1/2 TOI - made $575,000 last year - no one would give him more than $1.5MM, especially since he was only RFA.

Raanta was terrible after Crawford came back - was lucky he made an NHL salary for almost all of last year - now he has a one-way at above minimum wage.

Don't get me wrong - the signings are good - glad both are back - but I'm not giving Stan any credit for getting a "steal" here.
- StLBravesFan

Smith.is.great. a great replacement for Kruger if Freddy is on fact traded. Smith is a battler great around thr ney as well.

Raanta is a baby . The Hawks now have 2 goalies for less than 7 million for the next 2 seasons.

If we trade Oduya and Leddy becomes a Top 4 D-Man, I don't like that equation at all. I know John J has really been talking up Leddy lately, but his play in his own zone is an abomination. It's going to get worse going from taking on bottom 6 players to now being matched up with the Getlafs of the world.

You want cap space with no real net loss that can't be plugged with rookies. Trade Bickell and Crawford.
- fvineze

Im not sure Raanta can be plugged in as a starter at this point without a substantial drop off. His second half was fairly brutal and ending the season with a .897 save percentage playing behind this defense does not inspire confidence. I think he may be better served getting a bit more seasoning in Rockford for a portion of next season. His pay cut also means that his entire salary can be buried if necessary.

And say what you want about Crawford being the product of a strong defensive system, he's shown a propensity to step up in big moments over the past two years. The thought of relying on a rookie during a playoff run next year is scary.

Lazarus just said "Doesnt think Hawks make a move for real C"

He used the stupid excuse of "The Hawks were one bounce away from winning a Stanley Cup..."


Dumbass Hawks mouth piece ......

Well, if you put it that way, I am letting go of the Keith of today and thinking about what value he could fetch right now.

Oh - did I forget the red font?
- powerenforcer

Do we have a young defender who can take Keith's spot and productivity? No, we do have Saad who should be able to replace Sharp.

Lazarus just said "Doesnt think Hawks make a move for real C"

He used the stupid excuse of "The Hawks were one bounce away from winning a Stanley Cup..."


Dumbass Hawks mouth piece ......
- mrpaulish

Just heard that on the Score.

THE COST is what is Brilliant .
- mrpaulish

Nobody thinks $1.5 mil for Smith was a bit of a surprise? At least Raanta took almost a half mil pay cut, so between the two they're still only making what most people thought the two combined would make.

Hope it's more like XMAS as a kid with toys under the tree vs as an adult...socks and underwear.
- HawkintheD

Yeah we have gotten enough underwear over the years. I do think there will be some big players moving today. More than the 1 big trade that is the usual thing here. Let's just hope we are involved in one of them

Do we have a young defender who can take Keith's spot and productivity? No, we do have Saad who should be able to replace Sharp.
- BearsnHawks

Binnngggooooo

You could hear a pin drop has the crowd waited with bated breath for Sharpie to become a ex-Blackhawk......

bumhole
- mrpaulish

OMFG! WHERE IS THE MODERATOR !!!!11

Lazarus just said "Doesnt think Hawks make a move for real C"

He used the stupid excuse of "The Hawks were one bounce away from winning a Stanley Cup..."

Dumbass Hawks mouth piece ......
- mrpaulish

I didn't hear it, but hopefully he is basing that on recent history of Stan not making moves. But the bolded is stupid. Drives me nuts when people say that. I don't think they need to blow the team up, but improvements must be made

Sapere Aude ‏@PrimaScriptura · 5m ·

Ryan Kesler's trade out of Vancouver could be inching closer to completion, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.

OMFG! WHERE IS THE MODERATOR !!!!11

- Tanuki

Lazarus just said "Doesnt think Hawks make a move for real C"

He used the stupid excuse of "The Hawks were one bounce away from winning a Stanley Cup..."


Dumbass Hawks mouth piece ......
- mrpaulish

They won't make a deal without knowing the actual cap next season, nothing will happen until then.

They won't make a deal without knowing the actual cap next season, nothing will happen until then.
- DarthKane

I'm sure the GM's already know what the cap is.

I'm sure the GM's already know what the cap is.
- paulr

Agreed.


Jus waiting for TSN to let us know....

Lazarus just said "Doesnt think Hawks make a move for real C"

He used the stupid excuse of "The Hawks were one bounce away from winning a Stanley Cup..."


Dumbass Hawks mouth piece ......
- mrpaulish

That has become the tag line for all the simplistic media guys....really is a moronic statement.

Hell they were one bounce away from being eliminated in the 1st round as were the Kings.

Plus "one bounce goal" in the WC finals does not win them the cup...they needed to WIN FOUR MORE...but i guess such trivialties escape these guys

That has become the tag line for all the simplistic media guys....really is a moronic statement.

Hell they were one bounce away from being eliminated in the 1st round as were the Kings.

Plus "one bounce goal" in the WC finals does not win them the cup...they needed to WIN FOUR MORE...but i guess such trivialties escape these guys
- bogiedoc

One bounce away from losing to Detroit 2 seasons ago.... WTF kind of statement is that ?

Sharp, Leddy, prospect and #5 for Kesler? Too rich for my blood.
- DarthKane

I was thinking the same thing. Could we get Nielsen back as part of the Sharp+ deal?

That has become the tag line for all the simplistic media guys....really is a moronic statement.

Hell they were one bounce away from being eliminated in the 1st round as were the Kings.

Plus "one bounce goal" in the WC finals does not win them the cup...they needed to WIN FOUR MORE...but i guess such trivialties escape these guys
- bogiedoc

If they do not make any moves... that will be their new official PR slogan...."One Bounce" no more "One Goal"

Smith.is.great. a great replacement for Kruger if Freddy is on fact traded. Smith is a battler great around thr ney as well.

Raanta is a baby . The Hawks now have 2 goalies for less than 7 million for the next 2 seasons.
- mrpaulish

Smith is a great - 4th liner - that's what he's proven so far.

He was good in SHORT STINTS in some 3rd and 2nd line situations, but he has not proven to be any kind of LONG TERM solution top-6 skater. Right now he has proven to be a good energy-player, 4th-line asset.

Raanta is a baby - and needs a lot of Rockford attention (IMO, of course) - he can get that now at an NHL salary - but my guess is he's playing 90 miles east of Screw City for next year.

You want cap space with no real net loss that can't be plugged with rookies. Trade Bickell and Crawford.
- fvineze

Have you noticed you are the only one that wants to trade Crawford?

Lazurus can argue that point that they were a bounce away from going back to the Cup and most likely winning it, on the other side you can also argue that if the Hawks had addressed the #2C role last year they would've disposed of the Kings and eventually the Rangers as well.