Before this turns into a pipe dream of us trading Versteeg or Rozsival and getting back some highly coveted prospect or draft pick.....and then wiz's head explodes, lets take a step back.

1 TT is still showing on cap geek's roster. I dont' see him starting the year in the NHL unless he absolutely tears up the preseason. So you can deduct his 800K right away and now you have a cap deficit of around 1.4 and change.

2. Outside of TT, you have 3 highly HYPED guys that all of the sudden the media has hitched their wagons to. Cledening vs Johns vs Dahlbeck. That isn't by coincidence. I heard on the hawks post game radio show after game 7, Dahlbeck's name come up UNPROVOKED which tells me a D man is 99.9% going, unless Stan Bow is blown away for an offer on Sharp or Bickell.

3. As much as the Jay Zawaski's of the world want to drive Versteeg to the airport, at 2.2 million for the next 2 years, he has value in a cap world and a roster stacked with HIGH dollars on high end players. He's a low risk, high reward, and they aren't going to move him. Period.

4. Rozsival is possible as moving him, gets you 800K below the cap with a 22 man roster, which contrary to what some may want to believe, is VERY possible considering they may know full well this is their last push for a cup with the current core. May take sweetening that pot with Rozsival and prospect that many think is coveted but the Hawks are sour on.

So out of all that....you get down to where we were 2 months ago.....Oduya vs Leddy. I would venture to guess the Hawks have had talks with Oduya's agent about what # JO wants on his next deal and if he's willing to be a team guy and leave $$ on the table for a chance to win. If he is....then LEddy will be dealt. Q doesn't seem to be a fan of Leddy, and can this team really afford to pay a #5 d man over 3+ million starting in 2015-16? I don't think they can.

Leddy out east for a prospect during camp as LONG as Dahlbeck or Cledening or Johns all don't bomb, and the winner of the 3 man competition, if there is even a competition, will be the Hawks 6/7 d man along side the bag of pucks known as Rundblad.

That's so much for the Sens to give up for two players in their 30's and one near the end of the road.
- acmidd28

Sharp is 34 he has a good 3 to 4 years left in him and he'll get you 30+ goals each year.. only asking Zack Smith in return is in no way worth it. There is still a huge question mark on Lazar who at best might be a 2nd line center.

even trying to create competition will not get the hawks a dollar for dollar deal as both or all teams will know that chicago has to make a deal. remember that teams are trading an asset to the hawks just by taking a player... deal almost looks like oduya to cal for 2nd plus cap space. for example
- ChrisMS

Hawks can say "no" to the 2nd plus cap space and go in a different direction - your team has to decide how badly they want Oduya - they would then offer more than a 2nd.

Hawks have to make a deal - but they don't have to make "this" deal - if a team wants "this" player, they'll offer something at least a little better.

They won't get full value for a player - as you say, part of the assets coming back would be cap relief - but they're don't have to just bend over and say "thank you, sir, may I have another" - they have options.

Money talks. Everybody wants to avoid Leddy's agent next year. Leddy is a good kid. His agent is a snake.

It is not just the Hawks that have cap troubles. The Bruins and Flyers are in worse shape. Next year the cap goes to $72.5m (Bettman estimate) so other teams are all getting very cautious on taking back dead weight contracts.
- spatso

Agreed but Leddy has shown enough in bunches that he will be coveted. Hawks will get back a mid round pick is my guess.

I think the cap will be closer to 74 million next year. Gary loves him some outdoor games.

Well take Oduya, no thank you on Leddy.

Moving Roszival alone isn't enough to clear the cap problem, and even if it was I doubt you would see a 22 man roster. I can't see anyone giving up even a 7th for Versteeg, and again it wouldn't be enough on its own.

I think JJ has it right - Oduya makes the most sense in terms of cap value, especially since I think they will fight tooth and nail not to have to move Sharp. I think Calgary could be a good landing spot, or even Edmonton if they are so inclined. Who gets the roster spot to replace him, though? Do they try to bring back Brookbank on the cheap (can't be much more than $1M)? Do they promote Clendening or Dahlbeck?
- bluenatic411

I've come to the conclusion (after reading many here on this subject) that they can - and probably will - go to a 22-man roster - and why not: days matter in the cap calculation, you don't have to have 3 sitting in the press box every nite, especially with Rockfish being only three hours away - they can go with 21 or 22 (most likely 22) and still have roster flexibility to account for minor short-term injuries.

Franzen + Kindl for Sharp + Leddy?

Sharp is 34 he has a good 3 to 4 years left in him and he'll get you 30+ goals each year.. only asking Zack Smith in return is in no way worth it. There is still a huge question mark on Lazar who at best might be a 2nd line center.
- lmiller

It does not matter if you believe it. But the Sens and their fans believe Lazar is the best junior in Canada right now. He led Edmonton to the Memorial Cup, he scored 3 goals and 4 points when Canada beat Russia 6-3 last week in preparation games leading up to the WJC. You might have a question mark about Lazar but nobody with the Senators has any. And, that is all that matters in regard to any possible trade.

Sharp is 34 he has a good 3 to 4 years left in him and he'll get you 30+ goals each year.. only asking Zack Smith in return is in no way worth it. There is still a huge question mark on Lazar who at best might be a 2nd line center.
- lmiller

Sharp is 32, Smith has tremendous value at $1.8 per for the next three seasons and the Sens love Lazar. Combine that with the fact you think they'll throw in an additional 1st round pick? Hey, I'd love it but tough to see happening.

Leddy and Versteeg packaged to the Sens for forward prospect Stefan Noesen and 2nd or 3rd round pick.

Would love it to be more of a return but teams know the Hawks are up against it.
- acmidd28

Is Noesen even on Ottawa anymore?

Is Noesen even on Ottawa anymore?
- SteveRain

No, part of Bobby Ryan deal.

I've come to the conclusion (after reading many here on this subject) that they can - and probably will - go to a 22-man roster - and why not: days matter in the cap calculation, you don't have to have 3 sitting in the press box every nite, especially with Rockfish being only three hours away - they can go with 21 or 22 (most likely 22) and still have roster flexibility to account for minor short-term injuries.
- StLBravesFan

Correct and a guy like Regin has proven he can play F or C and be OK subbing out on a top 6 line as much as a bottom 6 line. They have a LOT of guys who can be interchangeable.

I'd be shocked if they went above 22 guys. Hell, they may even shuffle a Johns or Cledening or Dahlbeck back to Rockford on days off to bank $$.

No, part of Bobby Ryan deal.
- spatso

Yep....so hard to trade for a guy that isn't there.

Franzen + Kindl for Sharp + Leddy?
- Feds91Stammer

That's laughably bad

We aren't taking old man franzen and his eternity contract off your hands

Is it fair to say that Oduya would only fetch a pick/picks?
Just going by history of past trades & factoring in Oduya's age and upcoming FA status. I have seen D of his stature get dealt for 2nd's + 4th's instead of player or prospects.

Yep....so hard to trade for a guy that isn't there.


- SteveRain

Coen Brothers could make a movie about it.

Rozsival and Versteeg to (???) for later round picks and/or low level prospects. Keep JO and Sharp. Play the Rockford Shuffle if necessary. Keep enough cap space for depth trade or two at the TDL and go for it in '15. Address the rest of the mess going into the 2015 draft. Not exciting but potentially effective for a '15 cup run.

0000000000000000000000000 CLUUUUEEEE !!!


Id want Leddy for Matt Martin and whatever .


Id guess that Leddy for a draft pick , 2nd round or better might be the final deal . Mostly since Leddy is not used enoug on Qs roster , Leddy has the highest upside and Im guessing other teams would want him over Oduya , especially teams on the upswing . Rebuilding teams may not want an older Oduya .

I guess Leddy gets moved.

Sharp is 32, Smith has tremendous value at $1.8 per for the next three seasons and the Sens love Lazar. Combine that with the fact you think they'll throw in an additional 1st round pick? Hey, I'd love it but tough to see happening.
- acmidd28

I have to go. But you can close the deal for me. Smith and a second for Sharp. Or, Smith, a very good prospect (not named Lazar) and a second for Sharp and Leddy. Ottawa has some very good prospects (look at this kid Paul from the Spezza deal). He is 6'4" and 225 lbs center on the Canadian junior team, 19 years old.

Rozsival and Versteeg to (???) for later round picks and/or low level prospects. Keep JO and Sharp. Play the Rockford Shuffle if necessary. Keep enough cap space for depth trade or two at the TDL and go for it in '15. Address the rest of the mess going into the 2015 draft. Not exciting but potentially effective for a '15 cup run.
- blackhawk24

This is ideal but who would ever give up anything for those 2 ?

Stevie Rain made a great point about Versteeg . Basically no trade value but the $ isnt bad and just incase he is good at 2.2 M would be great .

That's laughably bad

We aren't taking old man franzen and his eternity contract off your hands
- FourFeathers773

What if I throw in Nyquist and you add someone as well?

Yep....so hard to trade for a guy that isn't there.


- SteveRain

Sorry, I meant Matthew Puempel not Noesen.

Coen Brothers could make a movie about it.
- StLBravesFan

It happens, but probably need to check things before posting trade proposals.

LIke everyone else, very curious to see what Stanley has up his sleeve.

After the mental vacation, I really feel it will come down to health this spring. The west is a gauntlet and a lot of teams took a big step improving, while only 1, really took a step back.

Not sure if the Hawks taxing guys to win a February game is worth home ice. Dallas, Minnesota, or STL will all be hard outs in rounds 1+2 and then you have Anaheim or LA waiting for you.

Meanwhile, the east?

Sorry, I meant Matthew Puempel not Noesen.
- acmidd28

No problem.

What if I throw in Nyquist and you add someone as well?
- Feds91Stammer

No

Nyquist franzen and kindle are three players the hawks don't need

We have plenty of those types already

We need size and physicality depth, especially at center

Not an old, poor man's hossa, another small offensive winger, and a pmd who hasn't figured it out yet