I agree and people were ready to storm the castle in June when he was supposedly included in a trade offer for Kesler. That ship has sailed as well.

Here's my question to you though....if you think he's a winger, I assume RW and where is he going to play? You already have 2 HOF RWs on your team right now in Hossa and Kane.

He's going to need to add a lot more "kilos" to compete at center in the NHL.
- SteveRain

I just don't see him as a Center on a good NHL team...ya he may be 6tf and have nice positioning and D instincts but he will never be able to out muscle the 6'2"+ 220lb+ Centers that are all over the NHL these days..I think he is a perfect fit on the wing (Left or Right) opposite Saad, Bickel or Hossa.

Richards isn't exactly big - a good temporary pickup but I would look for a good prospective 2nd line center (6'2" 200lbs+ or bigger) now and if we find one with an ELC then we could slot Richards in on the 3rd line and let Shaw play wing.
- FourOrr

Couldn't agree with you more!!

Ooppps, I messed that up

Frans ..... being a part of it
- Ur Not Me

Don't get me started on this guy....

2015/16 Lineup possibility

Saad-Toews-Kane
Tuevo- UFA C or via Sharp Trade- Hossa
Bickell-Shaw-Morin
McNeil- Kruger/Nordstrom/Danault- Versteeg/Rasmussen/other prospect


just no way the Hawks can keep Sharp after this season...which will be a bittersweet goodbye despite all the Sharp hate in the past 8 months

That has been my point from the start about Leddy. IMO his speed and skill have top 4 upside - he has gaps but very few 22-23 year old defensemen do not have gaps. He has 4 very solid guys in their primes in front of him and, at times, he shows some dominant possession stats in the RS.

Discount the hate from a couple here aside - he warrants a solid return. If the Hawks didn't have the cap issue I would expect a first rounder and/or a solid player back.
- tredbrta

As I was saying... I couldn't agree with you any more!

Don't get me started on this guy....
- DarthKane

What being a part of a Leddy deal?
Or maybe you think Leddy has more value than Frans?

he had a plan, building thru draft, but bc isles had no prospects and barely any players he had to start from scratch. Drafting kids take time to develop and sometimes might not pan out. The only noticeable player the Isles identified as the core is JT, Hammer, KO, Frans, the rest were waiver pick-ups to try an assemble a team. Now it seems that some/most of the kids are ready and are included in being part of the core.
So from my perspective, Snow had little to identify who's really core material.
- Ur Not Me

I was all was for Vanek move as JT needed help but....Snow should have never made the deal without being almost certain Vanek would resign there. That was a big mistake.

As far as building through the Draft...The teams that have done it that way and have had great success have been able to Draft studs back to back....Otherwise it can be a very long and bumpy road.

What being a part of a Leddy deal?
Or maybe you think Leddy has more value than Frans?
- Ur Not Me

Just Frans in general, I've be advocating acquiring him for a long time.

If I am the Blackhawks then I am trying to pry Anders Lee away from NYI. Matt Martin would be nice but I'd like to see them go for Lee.

2015/16 Lineup possibility

Saad-Toews-Kane
Tuevo- UFA C or via Sharp Trade- Hossa
Bickell-Shaw-Morin
McNeil- Kruger/Nordstrom/Danault- Versteeg/Rasmussen/other prospect


just no way the Hawks can keep Sharp after this season...which will be a bittersweet goodbye despite all the Sharp hate in the past 8 months
- EnzoD

I agree that Sharp will likely be gone. It will hurt to lose Sharp but such is life under a salary cap. I'd expect a line-up like this in 15/16, although there are so many variables between now and then. Maybe Richards signs another short term cheap deal, maybe Regin excels in a 4th line PK role, maybe another forward is dealt (in addition to Sharp).

Saad - Toews - Kane
Bickell - Teravainen - Hossa
Shaw - Kruger - Versteeg
Morin - Nordstrom - Smith
McNeill

What being a part of a Leddy deal?
Or maybe you think Leddy has more value than Frans?
- Ur Not Me

also i remember reading a post that said "isles dont need Leddy bc they already have Visnovsky".... Lubo is like 38 and you are in a retool..Leddy showed this year he can run the point on the PP very effectively and he would be a great piece for the Isles to have.

And you cant compare Leddy to your other Offensive D prospects bc Leddy has been the #5 D on a cup contender/champion for several seasons. He is clearly better than those players who cannot even crack the NHL yet. The undervaluing of Leddy comes from the frustration of us Hawks fans bc he could be GREAT but is only average right now bc he is on Q's short leash and seems to be afraid to make a mistake for fear of Q's doghouse.

I wouldnt ask for Frans back bc he is an established 2C (albeit a 2C on a non-contender so take that for what you will). You cannot deny Leddy is at worst a #4 on 28 NHL teams so that warrants a Top 6 C/W prospect in return, no exeptions.

I agree that Sharp will likely be gone. It will hurt to lose Sharp but such is life under a salary cap. I'd expect a line-up like this in 15/16, although there are so many variables between now and then. Maybe Richards signs another short term cheap deal, maybe Regin excels in a 4th line PK role, maybe another forward is dealt (in addition to Sharp).

Saad - Toews - Kane
Bickell - Teravainen - Hossa
Shaw - Kruger - Versteeg
Morin - Nordstrom - Smith
McNeill
- DarthKane

CRAP! how could i forget about Smitty! i love that guy.. such a key role player

I was all was for Vanek move as JT needed help but....Snow should have never made the deal without being almost certain Vanek would resign there. That was a big mistake.

As far as building through the Draft...The teams that have done it that way and have had great success have been able to Draft studs back to back....Otherwise it can be a very long and bumpy road.
- Al

Most of us like the trade but Snow didn't follow up on it that made it look like a bad trade. Snow upgraded JT's wing but over-looked the much more need at D & G

I understand Bickell is big, but Shaw and Smith play a much bigger game than he does, and they play it for the entire season. I don't understand why some fans confuse big frame with playing big. Most nights Bickell is a puppy dog on the ice.
- powerenforcer

Yeah but he ups his game enough in the playoffs to warrant him being a part of things i think

I agree that Sharp will likely be gone. It will hurt to lose Sharp but such is life under a salary cap. I'd expect a line-up like this in 15/16, although there are so many variables between now and then. Maybe Richards signs another short term cheap deal, maybe Regin excels in a 4th line PK role, maybe another forward is dealt (in addition to Sharp).

Saad - Toews - Kane
Bickell - Teravainen - Hossa
Shaw - Kruger - Versteeg
Morin - Nordstrom - Smith
McNeill
- DarthKane

Unless theres big jumps in progress from that bottom 6, this is not a championship roster in my opinion, especially considering the D corps could be very different as well when 2015-16 roles around.

also i remember reading a post that said "isles dont need Leddy bc they already have Visnovsky".... Lubo is like 38 and you are in a retool..Leddy showed this year he can run the point on the PP very effectively and he would be a great piece for the Isles to have.

And you cant compare Leddy to your other Offensive D prospects bc Leddy has been the #5 D on a cup contender/champion for several seasons. He is clearly better than those players who cannot even crack the NHL yet. The undervaluing of Leddy comes from the frustration of us Hawks fans bc he could be GREAT but is only average right now bc he is on Q's short leash and seems to be afraid to make a mistake for fear of Q's doghouse.

I wouldnt ask for Frans back bc he is an established 2C (albeit a 2C on a non-contender so take that for what you will). You cannot deny Leddy is at worst a #4 on 28 NHL teams so that warrants a Top 6 C/W prospect in return, no exeptions.
- EnzoD

Well for 1 I didn't say that, I think that Viz should be paired as a 3rd pairing Dman so that he's limited on getting abused and injured when his importance to the team is Qb the PP.
The point about Leddy to isles is that isles have DeHaan, Donovan, Brennan, Pokka, Poluck, Hickey that play a similar style and some of those names are on roster and others who are chomping to get ice time.
So to me Viz is irrelevant and if he stays healthy its a plus....

I understand Bickell is big, but Shaw and Smith play a much bigger game than he does, and they play it for the entire season. I don't understand why some fans confuse big frame with playing big. Most nights Bickell is a puppy dog on the ice.
- powerenforcer


Except Bickell is 240 so when he hits someone it really hurts..Shaw has a couple punishing hits (ask seth jones) but his 185 is not punishing on opponents like Bick's 240 is

If I am the Blackhawks then I am trying to pry Anders Lee away from NYI. Matt Martin would be nice but I'd like to see them go for Lee.
- Bjm84

Lee is the Isles next PWF.... kid already showed a nose for the net in a small sample size.

Lee is like a Saad to you except Saad is a better skater, Lee needs to polish that

But if 1 high end prospect is gonna get dealt for a high end Dman, I could see Lee being moved or Dal Colle

Just Frans in general, I've be advocating acquiring him for a long time.
- DarthKane

I think I remember having a couple of convo's w/u about it, but I just don't see a match.

Unless theres big jumps in progress from that bottom 6, this is not a championship roster in my opinion, especially considering the D corps could be very different as well when 2015-16 roles around.
- BlazinMike

If Kruger is our 3c we will not be able to compete come playoff time with the western conference.

also i remember reading a post that said "isles dont need Leddy bc they already have Visnovsky".... Lubo is like 38 and you are in a retool..Leddy showed this year he can run the point on the PP very effectively and he would be a great piece for the Isles to have.

And you cant compare Leddy to your other Offensive D prospects bc Leddy has been the #5 D on a cup contender/champion for several seasons. He is clearly better than those players who cannot even crack the NHL yet. The undervaluing of Leddy comes from the frustration of us Hawks fans bc he could be GREAT but is only average right now bc he is on Q's short leash and seems to be afraid to make a mistake for fear of Q's doghouse.

I wouldnt ask for Frans back bc he is an established 2C (albeit a 2C on a non-contender so take that for what you will). You cannot deny Leddy is at worst a #4 on 28 NHL teams so that warrants a Top 6 C/W prospect in return, no exeptions.
- EnzoD

Ok, I can agree with everything said. Now if you are G Snow, maybe he plans on trading one of his dmen prospects or Leddy one year after he acquires him. Snow has some nice looking prospects to mold a future blueline. Or be a big part of that group. I just wonder how good Leddy is on NYI outside of the pp duty. Would he be given a grizzled veteran to be on his pair? What might Leddy's game be like on NYI - steps up, about the same as in Chicago, levels off? Teams with so many prospects at a position - like NYI- ordinarily do not trade for another prospect at said position.

Again, though, I see your point. Makes sense. I wouldn't make the trade if I am Snow. But that is just me choosing to develop the NYI dmen prospects exclusively.

Well for 1 I didn't say that, I think that Viz should be paired as a 3rd pairing Dman so that he's limited on getting abused and injured when his importance to the team is Qb the PP.
The point about Leddy to isles is that isles have DeHaan, Donovan, Brennan, Pokka, Poluck, Hickey that play a similar style and some of those names are on roster and others who are chomping to get ice time.
So to me Viz is irrelevant and if he stays healthy its a plus....
- Ur Not Me

Ya but Leddy is better than all of them NOW and he is only 23 with room to grow. There is a reason Brennan hasnt made the show yet. The hawks have a great O-Dman in the AHL in Clendening but he isnt good enough to play in the NHL.. Leddy is effective as shown by his + rating and point totals. Also, remember the Leddy played with Sheldon Brookbank and an over-the-hill Rosival all year and still had almost 40 points...

Ok, I can agree with everything said. Now if you are G Snow, maybe he plans on trading one of his dmen prospects or Leddy one year after he acquires him. Snow has some nice looking prospects to mold a future blueline. Or be a big part of that group. I just wonder how good Leddy is on NYI outside of the pp duty. Would he be given a grizzled veteran to be on his pair? What might Leddy's game be like on NYI - steps up, about the same as in Chicago, levels off? Teams with so many prospects at a position - like NYI- ordinarily do not trade for another prospect at said position.

Again, though, I see your point. Makes sense. I wouldn't make the trade if I am Snow. But that is just me choosing to develop the NYI dmen prospects exclusively.
- jhawk59

I just think that the point is Leddy may be a prospect in terms of his higher upside and potential, but he is a LEGIT NHL DMAN who is proven. At the worst you get a #4/5 dman that can run the PP2...at best you get a top pair OFD that scores 40-60 points per year. Right now those other names UrNotMe listed are 100% questions marks. Leddy is much more of asure thing than any non-NHL dprospect

Most of us like the trade but Snow didn't follow up on it that made it look like a bad trade. Snow upgraded JT's wing but over-looked the much more need at D & G
- Ur Not Me

Quantity and quality...Hawks got Toews and Kane back to back and already had Keith, Seabrook and others in place.

Ya but Leddy is better than all of them NOW and he is only 23 with room to grow. There is a reason Brennan hasnt made the show yet. The hawks have a great O-Dman in the AHL in Clendening but he isnt good enough to play in the NHL.. Leddy is effective as shown by his + rating and point totals. Also, remember the Leddy played with Sheldon Brookbank and an over-the-hill Rosival all year and still had almost 40 points...
- EnzoD

See that's the thing, I'm not saying Leddy is not good, I'm pointing out that the isles need a DMAN that is more DEFENSIVE not offensive minded, we have similar types.

last year when Amac got traded, the isles D played much better when giving the opportunity to Mayfield & Czuczman. Grant it they could make team but bc of them being kids & a much more pressure situation this year (bc of the 1st pick) and having to many 1way contracts on D, the isles wont rush them and rather try to trade for a Dman with more NHL experience.

So I hope this helps on understanding why the isles don't need another O-dman.
Bc of certain teams having cap issues, most fans are looking at Hawks - Oduya
Bruins - Boychuk/McQuaid but depends on what it will cost?
If the season started today, most fans are willing to see how this roster plays w/new additions. I think the isles are a bubble team (some might say differ) but if isles added a NHL legit Dman, I say they make PO's.