If they got gudbranson, you'd have to think they'd go for one of the centers, since EG plays D. But could Sam Reinhart slot as our L2-C next year? Not likely...thus it is a move for "the future", whereas the Hawks should be setting ourselves up for next year.
- kwolf68

NHL.com said that Bennett is a "Toews type"...either way I just hope we arent completely let down by the end of the weekend...if by some miracle Dale trades the #1 to the Hawks I dont think there is any doubt that they will get animpact player whether it is Ekblad or any of the centers...honestly since JJ posted that rumor all ive been thinking about is having a LONG-TERM solution to the 2nd line C that could play behind Toews for the next 10 years....

So what about the trade offer to Florida? That dead now since Kesler is a Duck??
- z1990z

Would help clear cap space, and bring more young talent in. Maybe the cap used for another vet C?

I think Ana offer is equivalent or better than leddy, TT, and 1st. I don't get how the hawks could have crushed Ana offer without including saad. For the record, I'm disappointed the hawks didn't get Kesler but Ana gave a fair offer. Hawks would have to overpay and I'm glad they didn't.
- coldsteelonice

It's because the Hawks offer HAD to include Saad, a first and probably Leddy to complete the deal.

We have plenty of "future centers". Maybe Wiz can chime in on this one, but I don't think Reihhart or Bennett are locks to be immediate contributors. We need someone to slot NOW. I have no idea what Stanley is cooking with Uncle Dale.
- kwolf68

Yeah Wiz will know best, but from what I have been reading Ekblad and Reinhart will be in the league this year. Reinhart probably won't get 60 points off the bat but maybe with the right linemates he can be ok. A lot think Draisaitl will also make it since he has close to a pro body already. I still like what I hear about Bennett the most but I doubt he plays in the nhl this year

Backs the suggestion JJ has often made concerning the Hawks view of their own prospects.
- kwolf68

Balance of power has now officially shifted in the West to Cali.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH




Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 21s

Crazy things can still happen today, but my money has been & will continue to be on Shaw as 2C to start, until Teravainen takes it from him.

I'm not one to take shots at SB, but...

Bob Murray get's his man yet again, Bowman not so much...

...sigh

Next!

"We like our team...."

NHL.com said that Bennett is a "Toews type"...either way I just hope we arent completely let down by the end of the weekend...if by some miracle Dale trades the #1 to the Hawks I dont think there is any doubt that they will get animpact player whether it is Ekblad or any of the centers...honestly since JJ posted that rumor all ive been thinking about is having a LONG-TERM solution to the 2nd line C that could play behind Toews for the next 10 years....
- EnzoD

... and why that offer sounds a HECK of a lot more appealing. You get a cost controlled player, who might be an incredibly solid 2C for many years, and you shed some unwanted cap space to make future moves.

Wasn't he playing 3rd and 4th line most of the year?
- L_B_R

So did saad. Technically. Saad is better than bonino but is still good. Bonino is more valuable than any other piece the hawks could offer not named saad.

1 Plekanec please.

"We were one bounce away..."

Maybe not.....

Point is...what is this HUGE overpay the Hawks shyed away from? That's my point.

If Van was adamant about Saad....fine. No problem.

If it was Teuvo? Yeah, big problem.
- SteveRain

Agreed here, if Stan refused to part with TT. In my humble opinion though, its not crazy to think Stan may have offered TT had Anaheim preferred Bonino. Kid is a really good player and proven at this point.

So did saad. Technically. Saad is better than bonino but is still good. Bonino is more valuable than any other piece the hawks could offer not named saad.
- coldsteelonice

DING DING DING!!!

NHL.com said that Bennett is a "Toews type"...either way I just hope we arent completely let down by the end of the weekend...if by some miracle Dale trades the #1 to the Hawks I dont think there is any doubt that they will get animpact player whether it is Ekblad or any of the centers...honestly since JJ posted that rumor all ive been thinking about is having a LONG-TERM solution to the 2nd line C that could play behind Toews for the next 10 years....
- EnzoD

Nothing wrong with some forward thinking while still remaining competitive for the Cup. Would have loved Kesler, but there are other moves they can still make and noticeably improve the team without having to purge more than they want to.

What would they have done about Oduya's broken foot?
- Hawks82

They would have played Brookbank and still had a good shot of winning. Even without Oduya on the Hawks, the Rangers were weaker on the blueline and not enough of an offensive threat, really. It would have taken more than 5 games that the Kings dispatches them in, though.

Sure. Bonino's cap hit is only $1.9 million until the end of the 16/17 season. He could be a true value.
- DarthKane

True, but TT is 6 years younger with a cap hit that is $1M less. TT would have been a good value, too.

"We were one bounce away..."
- hawks2010

... we overpaid to get Kesler via prospects/players, and now our cap is destroyed and MORE players are needing to be unloaded.

Sure. Bonino's cap hit is only $1.9 million until the end of the 16/17 season. He could be a true value.
- DarthKane

Like a Frans Nielsen value????

"We like Andrew Shaw as our 2C...."

I agree with Darth.....

call Vancouver for Bonino

True, but TT is 6 years younger with a cap hit that is $1M less. TT would have been a good value, too.
- Dannyboy

But ANA is dealing to win today. Big philosophical difference.

Like a Frans Nielsen value????
- UnnamedSource

This other rumor that JJ posted that Eklund has picked up is incredibly more intriguing to me than the Kesler scuttlebutt.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva 3s

Concerning Ryan Kesler, Blackhawks were interested but the impact on the cap was a concern, specially for the 15-1f season.
- mrpaulish

That'll pretty much eliminate any talks of Spezza or Stastny.

Suppose Bowman could trade for #1 and draft a C, but that's too ballsy of a move.

NO WAY!!!

Or what I've been saying round these parts for WEEKS throughout this whole rumor-gate. They simply weren't going to overpay for Kesler from a prospect/player perspective or the fact that they'd be pummeling their cap.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I agree with that.

However, what makes you think they'll l GET any 2nd line center if cap lands below 71 million? NExt year the growth will be similar and they'll be up $hits creek again. that's my point.

if the Hawks MISJUDGED the cap this year, then somebody better be held accountable because it will start a chain of events for not only this year, but next year as well....and teams aren't going to give you the return next summer they will this year for an Oduya or Sharp.