Is Kruger a 4th line guy? I happen to believe that Kruger would make an adequate third line center.

Also, I believe that Shaw is better on the wing than at center. Shaw just kind of fits there right now. It could be a different story come next summer.
- EKolb13

I think he is.

You need scoring depth from your 3rd line. When this team wins, that 3rd is critical to take the heat off of the top 2 lines. Kruger hasn't proven the ability to do that. SHaw has.

Bickell/Shaw/Versteeg is my guess for line 3. Assuming Versteeg shows up ready to roll in September.

I thought Bowman said he doesn't comment on trade rumors. I don't recall him ever addressing Sharp individually. I know his agent came out all flustered but I don't recall Stan addressing it. Could be wrong.
- SteveRain

That's what it was. Thanks for the correction.

It would take a few seasons for either Johns or Dahlbeck to acclimate themselves and give the kind of performance to usurp Seabrook on the top paring.

It's easier to replace Sharp then it is Seabrook at this point.

I'd have to think the only thing that gets Seabrook put on the trading block next summer is what he wants for money in his next contract. If that number is too damn big, that could force Bowman to make a real hard choice.
- EKolb13

Agree again. I don't expect either J or D to move up the ladder that quick but even if they show promise at the NHL level then you have to look seriously at Seabs contract expectations. Seabs will be 31-32 when his contract expires. If he plays at the same level the next few years he is looking at a major payday and will want a long term deal.

Personally, I hope it is Sharp who goes and they bring back a high 1st rounder they can then draft a defensemen with - someone with Seabs type physical ability. Not one of the d men in the system projects to Seabs level currently. Johns has the physical ability but it would be a pleasant but huge surprise if he could become a Seabs. Better chance of getting that type of physical talent in the top half of the 1st (where Seabs was drafted).

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.
- SteveRain

I'd like to nominate this for "Post of the Thread" which I'd also like to be a thing. Agree 100%! Well said.

I get your point but just seeing how Snow operates he values kids unless a potential trade of superstars were involved. Like last year before knowing what Nelson is, was offered for a package of Miller & Vanek but only Pulock was added plus picks of course. Geez I'm soooo facking happy Miller turned it down

But point being is that Snow has finally built depth and Nelson has become untouchable but I think Lee could be dealt but for the right young controlled player "if you get my point?"

Since the Isles traded Amac & gave some kids in Mayfield, Czuczman some icetime, the D actually played better bc those kids are more sound defensively than what was there. So improving the G position (which was the biggest hole) by a country mile has helped as well.

Grant it, most Isle fans would like to add an Oduya or Sharp but at what price ? But I've said many times the best trade between both team cant/wont happen bc the Hawks cant afford to trade a specific Dman bc of lack of depth currently. We all know your top 4 D is solid and is needed, and right now Hawks don't have anyone yet pushing for there spot/icetime.
- Ur Not Me

What is going on with the sale of the team? Do you expect it to happen?

Snow loves his young players but he has to be feeling some pressure as well. Some decent UFA ads but making a splash to recover from the Vanek/Moulson mess may be desired by Snow for a number of reasons.

out of the 4, IMO....in regards to the importance of being resigned.

1. Oduya. Only because if he wants a ton of money, Bowman has to move him now before he loses him for nothing.

2. Saad....what is scary is what this kid may get. 4 million a year? I think is possible.

3. Leddy...only if Oduya wants huge money does he become a priority. Even then, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Hawks look to make a trade for another Oduya they could mold or explore the UFA market.

4. Kruger...can you afford to pay a 4th line guy 2 million a year? I don't think you can. Time for Kruger to take a large step and start showing up in the playoffs on the score sheet. Has 4 career playoff goals in 48 games. Only goal this year was an empty netter. 2 were tap in rebounds last year (Detroit and Boston).
- SteveRain

Not picking on you specifically, but I hate this line of thought. If he leaves via free agency, we gain cap space...cap space that can be used to replace him or someone else.

Cap space is a commodity, in and of itself. No such thing as losing someone for nothing in the hard cap world.

I get your point but just seeing how Snow operates he values kids unless a potential trade of superstars were involved. Like last year before knowing what Nelson is, was offered for a package of Miller & Vanek but only Pulock was added plus picks of course. Geez I'm soooo facking happy Miller turned it down

But point being is that Snow has finally built depth and Nelson has become untouchable but I think Lee could be dealt but for the right young controlled player "if you get my point?"

Since the Isles traded Amac & gave some kids in Mayfield, Czuczman some icetime, the D actually played better bc those kids are more sound defensively than what was there. So improving the G position (which was the biggest hole) by a country mile has helped as well.

Grant it, most Isle fans would like to add an Oduya or Sharp but at what price ? But I've said many times the best trade between both team cant/wont happen bc the Hawks cant afford to trade a specific Dman bc of lack of depth currently. We all know your top 4 D is solid and is needed, and right now Hawks don't have anyone yet pushing for there spot/icetime.
- Ur Not Me

Good points but where is the veteran leadership and playoff experience coming from? You get two guys with cup rings and an assistant captain. I think with this trade you not only make the playoffs but could make some serious noise. We add a big center (Lee) and a physical forward at cap friendly numbers for the next couple of years (depending on how Lee progresses after his ELC expires). Win-win??

I'll go completely off the board... Nick Leddy....to the Devils... for Adam Larsson.

What is going on with the sale of the team? Do you expect it to happen?

Snow loves his young players but he has to be feeling some pressure as well. Some decent UFA ads but making a splash to recover from the Vanek/Moulson mess may be desired by Snow for a number of reasons.
- tredbrta

Sale of team will eventually happen, when is the biggest question.

The UFA adds have helped and made this team much deeper and provide better depth than keep relying on scraps and/or kids 2 develop.
The pressure was/is making sure the team doesn't finish within the top 5 of next years draft class. I can say w/the additions to the F's & G this team did become better on paper. Now I think they are a bubble team if nothing changes but if Snow can add a legit NHL dman, I'll say the isles will make PO's without any barring injuries of course.
The biggest question so far is obviously D but adding defensive F an improving G should make sure that the isles don't finish in top 5 pick this upcoming year.

Don't forget - until July 1, they thought they had $2MM more to spend - which is just about what they're not over.

Had to get Toews and Kane signed quickly - when they could - any delaying could have destroyed a delicate balance.

And forget the "no leverage" business - it's not as good as if they didn't HAVE to make a deal or two, but the talent they have to move does have good value, and they should be able to get back something more than just cap space for Oduya, Leddy, Sharp, Bickell, if not Versteeg and/or Roszival
- StLBravesFan

Well said. I don't get this "leverage issue" some fans, mostly of other teams, are fixated on. The market for a player is based on what teams want that player, not on whether the Hawks are a couple million over the cap in August. To use the sublime as an example, if Stan said tomorrow that Toews is on the trade block, does anyone think there wouldn't be 20+ teams lining up to try to get him just because moving Toews would "solve" the Hawks' cap issue? Now, you try to move garbage and you get garbage back. But put a good player up and as long as you have a couple teams interested, you have a market. I'm sure there are a lot of guys on the Hawks' roster other teams would salivate over, it just may not be guys like Versteeg and Rosival.

Not picking on you specifically, but I hate this line of thought. If he leaves via free agency, we gain cap space...cap space that can be used to replace him or someone else.

Cap space is a commodity, in and of itself. No such thing as losing someone for nothing in the hard cap world.
- Ogilthorpe2

Cap space is a commodity but so are the picks they gave up to get him. Those picks and player development are even more valuable than actual space under a hard cap. Right now - they have a strong system but really only TT projects as a reliably top 6 player. D-men, not really any projecting as top pairing guys. Only way to address that is with quantities of picks, high picks, or picking up projects like Rundblad to see if they can surprise. Letting an asset like a top 4 d man just walk away for $3.375m in cap space when you gave up 2 high picks is a net loss to the organization.

Good points but where is the veteran leadership and playoff experience coming from? You get two guys with cup rings and an assistant captain. I think with this trade you not only make the playoffs but could make some serious noise. We add a big center (Lee) and a physical forward at cap friendly numbers for the next couple of years (depending on how Lee progresses after his ELC expires). Win-win??
- FourOrr

PO experience & veteran leadership is lacking but it had no affect when they made the PO's against Pens. That series was all Nabby's fault

Lee is a PWF not a C, plus his small sample size showed his nose for the net. The Isles are looking to make room for him now but if not, they will start him in AHL to make sure he continues getting top mins.
Plus like I said prior, the biggest need is D and unless a controlled young D is coming back in return, I just don't see Snow trading Lee period. Plus wont do it either for another older F "if you get my point"

Sale of team will eventually happen, when is the biggest question.

The UFA adds have helped and made this team much deeper and provide better depth than keep relying on scraps and/or kids 2 develop.
The pressure was/is making sure the team doesn't finish within the top 5 of next years draft class. I can say w/the additions to the F's & G this team did become better on paper. Now I think they are a bubble team if nothing changes but if Snow can add a legit NHL dman, I'll say the isles will make PO's without any barring injuries of course.
The biggest question so far is obviously D but adding defensive F an improving G should make sure that the isles don't finish in top 5 pick this upcoming year.
- Ur Not Me

And the reason they can't finish with top 5 is Snow gambled and lost that pick in the Vanek fiasco. I agree the pressure is on Snow to win now and that may make him less inclined to remain "married" to his young players. He has plenty of them with the team now.

Imagine if that pick ends up being McDavid or Eichl... Could/should Snow keep his job?

A lot of this may depend on how teams/players start this season but I could see Snow making a run at veteran leadership that not only knows how to make the playoffs but WIN once they get there.

Also, if that sale happens this season will new ownership want to make a splash?

Not sure anything happens this year with Sharp at all but, if it does, I still see the Isles being one of the most logical fits.

Patrick Sharp to Washington for Tom Wilson and Madison Bowey.

PO experience & veteran leadership is lacking but it had no affect when they made the PO's against Pens. That series was all Nabby's fault

Lee is a PWF not a C, plus his small sample size showed his nose for the net. The Isles are looking to make room for him now but if not, they will start him in AHL to make sure he continues getting top mins.
Plus like I said prior, the biggest need is D and unless a controlled young D is coming back in return, I just don't see Snow trading Lee period. Plus wont do it either for another older F "if you get my point"
- Ur Not Me

And maybe the right veteran could have calmed Nabby down?

Actually, considering his POs with the Sharks probably not....

BTW, Halak has a similar disposition. After that one good PO with the Habs pretty flakey. I do think the Blues would have been better off with him than Miller but they obviously had their doubts.... and look at the defense he had in front of him there.

That's what it was. Thanks for the correction.
- EKolb13

Only time Bowman has specifically thrown water on a trade rumor was the summer of 2010.
He called a press conference just before Sharp's wedding as the word going around the NHL in a big way was the Hawks were going to deal Sharp.

Common thinking around the league was the Hawks would not let a Cup winning goalie walk and would deal Sharp.

That was never to be as Sharp was one of the 7 untouchables back then and the Hawks Front Office loved Crawford.

On Twitter @AlCimaglia

And the reason they can't finish with top 5 is Snow gambled and lost that pick in the Vanek fiasco. I agree the pressure is on Snow to win now and that may make him less inclined to remain "married" to his young players. He has plenty of them with the team now.

Imagine if that pick ends up being McDavid or Eichl... Could/should Snow keep his job?

A lot of this may depend on how teams/players start this season but I could see Snow making a run at veteran leadership that not only knows how to make the playoffs but WIN once they get there.

Also, if that sale happens this season will new ownership want to make a splash?

Not sure anything happens this year with Sharp at all but, if it does, I still see the Isles being one of the most logical fits.
- tredbrta

If nothing happens before the season starts I do agree that Snow has the assets to make changes. If I had to say what Snow is willing to part w/now are the following

Bailey, Grabner, Strait, Donovan, picks.... are so far what Snow is probably trying to trade off. Grant it, there could be some possible kids/prospects but not any major prospect like Pulock, Lee, Strome, Pokka, if you get my point?

What about a veteran defenseman like Rozsival, or Oduya?
- EKolb13

We need forwards, really. 2 years from now we will have Ristolainen, Pysyk, McCabe, Zadorov (maybe) pushing Myers, Gorges and Mezaros (maybe) for spots, to say nothing of the 2nd tier guys like Rudeweasel (Ruhwedel).

Basically our last three years of drafting mixed with a couple vets and tweeners.

Want to find a new home for Shaw?

If nothing happens before the season starts I do agree that Snow has the assets to make changes. If I had to say what Snow is willing to part w/now are the following

Bailey, Grabner, Strait, Donovan, picks.... are so far what Snow is probably trying to trade off. Grant it, there could be some possible kids/prospects but not any major prospect like Pulock, Lee, Strome, Pokka, if you get my point?
- Ur Not Me

This guy knows EXACTLY what Garth Snow wants, doesnt want, values, doesnt value, and so on...it's like he's in the sequel to "Being John Malkovich", "Being Garth Snow"

If nothing happens before the season starts I do agree that Snow has the assets to make changes. If I had to say what Snow is willing to part w/now are the following

Bailey, Grabner, Strait, Donovan, picks.... are so far what Snow is probably trying to trade off. Grant it, there could be some possible kids/prospects but not any major prospect like Pulock, Lee, Strome, Pokka, if you get my point?
- Ur Not Me

Before thinking about Snow making a good deal...
How about having a plan in place that makes sense?

Sharp for Martin and Frans Nielsen

how does Versteegs deal work? His money is being paid by FL, but he still counts against the cap to us?

Absolutely no way would the Flames give up a good prospect and a 2nd round pick for Oduya....