What would you guys want for a return if the Chicago traded Seabrook to Toronto? I don't believe something like that would happen, I'm just curious what you believe his worth to be.
- BetterCallSaul

Trading him to the Leafs makes the Leafs better right now. Nothing the Leafs have would at least equals the value Seabrook brings to the Hawks.

In no way does this dismiss players on the Leafs but given where the Hawks are at the moment nothing the Leafs could send to the Hawks make them a better team than having Seabrook.

To play along for the moment, the deal starts with JVR and goes from there.

Unless the Hawks decide to go with the Oilers' model from the 80's and try to out score everyone.

What would you guys want for a return if the Chicago traded Seabrook to Toronto? I don't believe something like that would happen, I'm just curious what you believe his worth to be.
- BetterCallSaul

JVR , or Nazim K

A lot more than Toronto has to offer.
- DarthKane

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Morgan Reilly.

I do not dismiss him at all, I am of the mind that his best hockey is behind him. You make a great point about how they are used as shut down.

Since I have been wrong about everything hockey the last 8 months, Leddy ought to have his bags packed.
- TrueGrit

I think he still has 3-4 years of effective play left. Guy is in great shape and D-men are effective for a longer period than forwards.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Morgan Reilly.
- RickJ

I thought of him but Toronto would be crazy to move him. And while I like him a lot, is he better than Seabrook right now? Or even a couple years down the road? IMO, not yet. He is going to be a very good player though.

I think he still has 3-4 years of effective play left. Guy is in great shape and D-men are effective for a longer period than forwards.
- Elbows15

Preach brother

JVR , or Nazim K
- mrpaulish

Neither of those players make the Hawks better though, P. More offensive but worse on the back end. A lot worse.

Preach brother
- Ogilthorpe2

It IS Sunday.

I thought of him but Toronto would be crazy to move him. And while I like him a lot, is he better than Seabrook right now? Or even a couple years down the road? IMO, not yet. He is going to be a very good player though.
- Elbows15

Like you, I don't waste time on hypothetical trades that aren't ever going to happen. And I consider Seabs one of the top 5 players on the team, despite the suggestions here that its time to move him.

Reilly is a very nice young player tho. Gonna be a star methinks.

Like you, I don't waste time on hypothetical trades that aren't ever going to happen. And I consider Seabs one of the top 5 players on the team, despite the suggestions here that its time to move him.

Reilly is a very nice young player tho. Gonna be a star methinks.
- RickJ

Agreed. Kid is mature beyond his years. Sees and thinks the game extremely well to go along with his physical tools.

Edit: Also agree about Seabrook. Guy is so under valued by many fans.

Agreed. Kid is mature beyond his years. Sees and thinks the game extremely well to go along with his physical tools.

Edit: Also agree about Seabrook. Guy is so under valued by many fans.
- Elbows15

Yes sir, there is a noticeable difference between a Reilly and players with physical tools like Jake Gardner, Leddy and a few others in the league.

Agreed. Kid is mature beyond his years. Sees and thinks the game extremely well to go along with his physical tools.

Edit: Also agree about Seabrook. Guy is so under valued by many fans.
- Elbows15

If there ever was a situation where Q could only ice 5 skaters until a game was won or lost, I'd bet alot of money Seabrook would be one of his guys.

If there ever was a situation where Q could only ice 5 skaters until a game was won or lost, I'd bet alot of money Seabrook would be one of his guys.
- RickJ

Now there is an idea for overtime. You will get no argument from me.

First, welcome. Second, not meaning to tear apart your post, but I will disagree with you on everything except freeing up cap space.

In theory, and in practice, they would free up cap space. But they likely won't happen because Q and the coaching staff would probably quit if they had to rely on that limited experience in defensemen 5-7.

I have heard Oduya and his agent are talking to the Hawks about a cap-friendly extension. He wants to stay and i think given a choice, Hawks would like to keep him. A lot can happen on the way to the altar, but at the start of the summer, Pizza Man was as good as gone and that has changed—again, because, I have heard, he will work with the Hawks on a cap friendly deal.

Leddy very possibly (probably) WILL be gone and ultimately "replaced" by one of the guys you mention or Rundblad. They are very high on Dahlbeck and he is the most NHL ready of the three. Johns might need a full season+ in the AHL. Clendening still has a massive hole in his game until proven otherwise.

Defense is the toughest NHL position to "grow into." There is no need to rush these guys along really.
- John Jaeckel

John,
Read my first sentence. It does NOT say that all 3 are going to be replaced this year or right now. It says by the start of next year's (not this year's) regular season.
The most likely scenario is that Dahlbeck replaces Leddy by the start of this season. This one move will get the Hawks close but not under the cap.
Of course, Q is not going to replace d-men 5-7 at once, I never wrote that. But neither 34 year old Oduya or Rozsival will be back in a Hawks uniform next year. They both are too old, not physical enough and make too much money to remain. They will be next year's victims of clearing cap space. Johns will be ready after spending a year or part of it at Rockford. Clendening, if he continues to improve, may also make the jump. All 3 will probably see some limited ice time this year at the main club when injuries occur. Up to now, Rundblad has shown very little, but makes a cap friendly 7th d-man. The Hawks will not hold onto pricey older d-men making 2 million plus on their 3rd d-man pairings. They will not be able to afford it next year (2015-16). The Hawks future (not the immediate present) is with Dahlbeck, Johns and Clendening.

John,
Read my first sentence. It does NOT say that all 3 are going to be replaced this year or right now. It says by the start of next year's (not this year's) regular season.
The most likely scenario is that Dahlbeck replaces Leddy by the start of this season. This one move will get the Hawks close but not under the cap.
Of course, Q is not going to replace d-men 5-7 at once, I never wrote that. But neither 34 year old Oduya or Rozsival will be back in a Hawks uniform next year. They both are too old, not physical enough and make too much money to remain. They will be next year's victims of clearing cap space. Johns will be ready after spending a year or part of it at Rockford. Clendening, if he continues to improve, may also make the jump. All 3 will probably see some limited ice time this year at the main club when injuries occur. Up to now, Rundblad has shown very little, but makes a cap friendly 7th d-man. The Hawks will not hold onto pricey older d-men making 2 million plus on their 3rd d-man pairings. They will not be able to afford it next year (2015-16). The Hawks future (not the immediate present) is with Dahlbeck, Johns and Clendening.
- dwthedon

Call me very skeptical about your short term forecast on Stephen Johns.

Call me very skeptical about your short term forecast on Stephen Johns.
- RickJ

And his pre-mature epitaph on Oduya

Call me very skeptical about your short term forecast on Stephen Johns.
- RickJ

Rick,
You may be skeptical about Johns making the main club, but the Hawks brass isn't. He is on a two year, not a three year entry level contract. He probably will not be ready this year, but after a year at Rockford and a possible short stint this year, he probably will.

And his pre-mature epitaph on Oduya
- Ogilthorpe2

Colonel Hogan,
The main focus on Oduya will be that he will be making more money than the Hawks will be able to afford next year. And the Hawks have possible replacements.
The Hawks are not going to throw 3 newcomers on the ice in the same year. But look for some of their younger talent to be put on the ice sooner rather than later. Their cap position going forward will dictate this.

Colonel Hogan,
The main focus on Oduya will be that he will be making more money than the Hawks will be able to afford next year. And the Hawks have possible replacements.
The Hawks are not going to throw 3 newcomers on the ice in the same year. But look for some of their younger talent to be put on the ice sooner rather than later. Their cap position going forward will dictate this.
- dwthedon

S-H-A-R-P

He gone

Rick,
You may be skeptical about Johns making the main club, but the Hawks brass isn't. He is on a two year, not a three year entry level contract. He probably will not be ready this year, but after a year at Rockford and a possible short stint this year, he probably will.
- dwthedon

Which means the organization has two full seasons to let Johns work on his game in the minors before they absolutely have to make a decision on where he fits.

I'm not saying Johns can't win a roster spot out of camp next season, but the organization doesn't have to rush the issue either.

Colonel Hogan,
The main focus on Oduya will be that he will be making more money than the Hawks will be able to afford next year. And the Hawks have possible replacements.
The Hawks are not going to throw 3 newcomers on the ice in the same year. But look for some of their younger talent to be put on the ice sooner rather than later. Their cap position going forward will dictate this.
- dwthedon

While you are correct on the cap dictating moves, there will be other options besides a freshly signed Oduya. Bickell and Verstink come to mind. And Sharp.

S-H-A-R-P

He gone
- Ogilthorpe2

Damn I was trying to give ya a little gift but ya beat me to it.

Rick,
You may be skeptical about Johns making the main club, but the Hawks brass isn't. He is on a two year, not a three year entry level contract. He probably will not be ready this year, but after a year at Rockford and a possible short stint this year, he probably will.
- dwthedon

Well, I hope you and the Blackhawks are right about Johns.

But I want to see it from him. He won't be playing 30 games a year anymore on weekends against kids with bird cages for facial protection. It's a big jump up to being ready to play 82+ games a year and being physically challenged every night to see what you are made of.

While you are correct on the cap dictating moves, there will be other options besides a freshly signed Oduya. Bickell and Verstink come to mind. And Sharp.
- Elbows15

It very well could be all three of Sharp, Bickell, and Versteeg moving next summer.

Well, I hope you and the Blackhawks are right about Johns.

But I want to see it from him. He won't be playing 30 games a year anymore on weekends against kids with bird cages for facial protection. It's a big jump up to being ready to play 82+ games a year and being physically challenged every night to see what you are made of.
- RickJ

Or a 76 game AHL season...