Keith cleared for contact today. Optional practice and only he and Darling showed. Very excited. Have tickets for Calgary game on Sunday.

@BrianHedger: Q confirms Keith is cleared for contact, which will start tomorrow with a full practice etc. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Asked if Keith vs #STLBlues is still a possibility, he said, "Maybe one of the games
- Marlowe[this weekend]. We'll see." #Blackhawks

@TramyersCSN: I would think Keith more likely for game vs. CGY out of the two weekend contests. Just returning, avoid back to back. #Blackhawks

article: Intriguing Trade Options for Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks


http://thehockeywriters.c...owman-and-the-blackhawks/
- jv526

I personally think this team is fine at the backend with 1)The returning Keith 2) Emergence of Gustaffson and Svedberg(in limmited minutes) 3) Improving Daley. The panic is unncessary.

I am still of the belief that the Hawk MUST get the first line rolling and that LW, not Hossa is the real problem.

Proposed trade: Teravainen & Bickell for NYI Brock Nelson.

My argument:
1) Bryan Bickell. No argument needed. HAWKS offer to eat 2 million this year and 2 million next year(50% of remaining contract).
2) Teravainen is a top six RW on a team full of top six RW. Moving him makes sense based on the Hawks needs for LW and someone who can replace what Saad was downlow on the cycle. Teravainen's trade value will plummet consistently the longer he is at LW or playing on the 3rd line. He could slot in at RW on either of NY top two lines and be a powerful contributor.

3) Brock Nelson is controlled for the next 3 years at 2.5 million. He CAN play LW with excellent possession game, two way style, and has good hands.

Hawks shed 2,895,000 in 2015 and 2016(net +395,000 each year).
Islanders take on additional 395,000 for Teravainen, who is higher upside player over Nelson, and whatever value they can get from Bickell for the remainder of his contract.

If I am Stan I am at least approaching NY on this. Do they bite? Unlikely but I think Stan needs to get creative and deal from where his assets are to address a need.

Nelson- Toews- Hossa
Panarin -Anisimov- Kane
Garbutt- Kero- Dano
Desjardins - Kruger - Shaw

Objective thoughts?

I personally think this team is fine at the backend with 1)The returning Keith 2) Emergence of Gustaffson and Svedberg(in limmited minutes) 3) Improving Daley. The panic is unncessary.

I am still of the belief that the Hawk MUST get the first line rolling and that LW, not Hossa is the real problem.

Proposed trade: Teravainen & Bickell for NYI Brock Nelson.

My argument:
1) Bryan Bickell. No argument needed. HAWKS offer to eat 2 million this year and 2 million next year(50% of remaining contract).
2) Teravainen is a top six RW on a team full of top six RW. Moving him makes sense based on the Hawks needs for LW and someone who can replace what Saad was downlow on the cycle. Teravainen's trade value will plummet consistently the longer he is at LW or playing on the 3rd line. He could slot in at RW on either of NY top two lines and be a powerful contributor.

3) Brock Nelson is controlled for the next 3 years at 2.5 million. He CAN play LW with excellent possession game, two way style, and has good hands.

Hawks shed 2,895,000 in 2015 and 2016(net +395,000 each year).
Islanders take on additional 395,000 for Teravainen, who is higher upside player over Nelson, and whatever value they can get from Bickell for the remainder of his contract.

If I am Stan I am at least approaching NY on this. Do they bite? Unlikely but I think Stan needs to get creative and deal from where his assets are to address a need.

Nelson- Toews- Hossa
Panarin -Anisimov- Kane
Garbutt- Kero- Dano
Desjardins - Kruger - Shaw

Objective thoughts?
- Bjm84

If your going to give up a blue chip trade asset, you should address your biggest need which is D. So unless the FO feels like 1l LW is a greater need (which they may, i dont know) I would not do this.

The A B Cs of the Hawks trade for a "real" defenseman:

The Salary Cap’s limited rises due to the Canadien Dollar and the simple facts that
a) Real top four defenders are usually not on the market, and
b) Most true top four defenders make at minimum 4 million dollars,
put the Cap strapped Blackhawks and other teams in a position where they must either develop & play Cap friendly players from inside their organization and hope they do show improvement, or
find a rare gem:
A young defenseman presently playing for a team that may fall out of contention who:
c) has shown continual improvement and can be counted on as a solid young top four guy,
d) and has already signed a longer contract with his present club.

You’ll find there are few in the category and less if you factor in the players present club being willing to trade him.

The other factors might be whether that specific team is looking long term at the future and feels
e) they need more scoring potential, or has earmarked forward departures they will need to fill,
f) feel that in the long run, adding a top flight youngster up front outweighs the loss of one on their backline (and that would be dependent upon of how the rest of their backline and farm can handle a departure of a blue liner).

Getting a short term plug or getting a long term fill to me is what determines the teams long term success or failure.

Sure Calgary can tell Kris Russell, “we are gonna make this deal, but we sure would love you to re-sign you next year when you are UFA…”, and get a few teams interested in overpaying for him.
I just don’t think he comes cheap because there will be interest from more than on club.

So I have composed the best long term dream scenario:

The islanders crap the bed, and know that the rebuild must be rebuilt.
They want Teravainen and are willing to sacrifice

Travis Harmonic for him.
Harmonic is signed until 2020, at a super reasonable $3,857,142.
(Check what most other defenders make if you think it isn’t.)

Sure, you stand the chance that TT finally ventures across the blue line and slashes his way to the rectangle area of middle ice, and making space for linemates, instead of pulling up, passing or carrying to the perimeter.

So, the Hawks would have to be pretty certain they saw his long term potential in a proper light.

My thought here is no matter what happens with TvR, Sveddy, and #52, you have solved a big part of a long term need with a super economical Cap hit.

I personally think this team is fine at the backend with 1)The returning Keith 2) Emergence of Gustaffson and Svedberg(in limmited minutes) 3) Improving Daley. The panic is unncessary.

I am still of the belief that the Hawk MUST get the first line rolling and that LW, not Hossa is the real problem.

Proposed trade: Teravainen & Bickell for NYI Brock Nelson.

My argument:
1) Bryan Bickell. No argument needed. HAWKS offer to eat 2 million this year and 2 million next year(50% of remaining contract).
2) Teravainen is a top six RW on a team full of top six RW. Moving him makes sense based on the Hawks needs for LW and someone who can replace what Saad was downlow on the cycle. Teravainen's trade value will plummet consistently the longer he is at LW or playing on the 3rd line. He could slot in at RW on either of NY top two lines and be a powerful contributor.

3) Brock Nelson is controlled for the next 3 years at 2.5 million. He CAN play LW with excellent possession game, two way style, and has good hands.

Hawks shed 2,895,000 in 2015 and 2016(net +395,000 each year).
Islanders take on additional 395,000 for Teravainen, who is higher upside player over Nelson, and whatever value they can get from Bickell for the remainder of his contract.

If I am Stan I am at least approaching NY on this. Do they bite? Unlikely but I think Stan needs to get creative and deal from where his assets are to address a need.

Nelson- Toews- Hossa
Panarin -Anisimov- Kane
Garbutt- Kero- Dano
Desjardins - Kruger - Shaw

Objective thoughts?
- Bjm84

Is it really worth it to save $395,000? If Snow would accept the deal without retaining salary then maybe. But I certainly wouldn't do this trade retaining half of Bickell's cap hit. Maybe for a d-man, but not a forward.

Plus the optics of this trade may look back since the draft pick used for Nelson was originally a Blackhawk pick that was traded to the Islanders.

Is it really worth it to save $395,000? If Snow would accept the deal without retaining salary then maybe. But I certainly wouldn't do this trade retaining half of Bickell's cap hit. Maybe for a d-man, but not a forward.

Plus the optics of this trade may look back since the draft pick used for Nelson was originally a Blackhawk pick that was traded to the Islanders.
- DarthKane

That's a good point but Teravainen is being wasted away on his team as he is lost at LW and brings nothing in a 3rd line role where his game is not suited.

This first line has been foul at best and I have yet to see any good solution from the brass or board members here to resolve.

The A B Cs of the Hawks trade for a "real" defenseman:

The Salary Cap’s limited rises due to the Canadien Dollar and the simple facts that
a) Real top four defenders are usually not on the market, and
b) Most true top four defenders make at minimum 4 million dollars,
put the Cap strapped Blackhawks and other teams in a position where they must either develop & play Cap friendly players from inside their organization and hope they do show improvement, or
find a rare gem:
A young defenseman presently playing for a team that may fall out of contention who:
c) has shown continual improvement and can be counted on as a solid young top four guy,
d) and has already signed a longer contract with his present club.

You’ll find there are few in the category and less if you factor in the players present club being willing to trade him.

The other factors might be whether that specific team is looking long term at the future and feels
e) they need more scoring potential, or has earmarked forward departures they will need to fill,
f) feel that in the long run, adding a top flight youngster up front outweighs the loss of one on their backline (and that would be dependent upon of how the rest of their backline and farm can handle a departure of a blue liner).

Getting a short term plug or getting a long term fill to me is what determines the teams long term success or failure.

Sure Calgary can tell Kris Russell, “we are gonna make this deal, but we sure would love you to re-sign you next year when you are UFA…”, and get a few teams interested in overpaying for him.
I just don’t think he comes cheap because there will be interest from more than on club.

So I have composed the best long term dream scenario:

The islanders crap the bed, and know that the rebuild must be rebuilt.
They want Teravainen and are willing to sacrifice

Travis Harmonic for him.
Harmonic is signed until 2020, at a super reasonable $3,857,142.
(Check what most other defenders make if you think it isn’t.)

Sure, you stand the chance that TT finally ventures across the blue line and slashes his way to the rectangle area of middle ice, and making space for linemates, instead of pulling up, passing or carrying to the perimeter.

So, the Hawks would have to be pretty certain they saw his long term potential in a proper light.

My thought here is no matter what happens with TvR, Sveddy, and #52, you have solved a big part of a long term need with a super economical Cap hit.
- wiz1901

I like Hamonic's game a lot. Big, mobile, physical and a good puck mover...all with a manageable cap hit for several seasons. For all the reasons above I find it hard to believe the Isles would want to part with him. I hope you are right Wiz! I love the fit in Chicago as Tuevo is a man without a line right now.

That's a good point but Teravainen is being wasted away on his team as he is lost at LW and brings nothing in a 3rd line role where his game is not suited.

This first line has been foul at best and I have yet to see any good solution from the brass or board members here to resolve.
- Bjm84

When Chicago is effective they role 3 scoring lines and have 1 shut down line. I'd argue that having Teravainen on the 3rd line will boost the offense and help improve the team's overall depth.

In the long term I expect one of Teravainen, Dano and Panarin (least likely) to be dealt. But it should be for the right deal and hopefully something that addresses a specific need (i.e. defense).

Keith cleared for contact today. Optional practice and only he and Darling showed. Very excited. Have tickets for Calgary game on Sunday.

@BrianHedger: Q confirms Keith is cleared for contact, which will start tomorrow with a full practice etc. #Blackhawks

@BrianHedger: Asked if Keith vs #STLBlues is still a possibility, he said, "Maybe one of the games
- Marlowe[this weekend]. We'll see." #Blackhawks

@TramyersCSN: I would think Keith more likely for game vs. CGY out of the two weekend contests. Just returning, avoid back to back. #Blackhawks

I hope they keep Keith away from the Blues for his first game. They will be targeting him. It's in that team's DNA. Particularly after the "Wakey, wakey" episode.

Calgary is physical as well but less of a rivalry.

When Chicago is effective they role 3 scoring lines and have 1 shut down line. I'd argue that having Teravainen on the 3rd line will boost the offense and help improve the team's overall depth.

In the long term I expect one of Teravainen, Dano and Panarin (least likely) to be dealt. But it should be for the right deal and hopefully something that addresses a specific need (i.e. defense).
- DarthKane

Not unless we are getting back Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, PK Subban, ect...

The A B Cs of the Hawks trade for a "real" defenseman:

The Salary Cap’s limited rises due to the Canadien Dollar and the simple facts that
a) Real top four defenders are usually not on the market, and
b) Most true top four defenders make at minimum 4 million dollars,
put the Cap strapped Blackhawks and other teams in a position where they must either develop & play Cap friendly players from inside their organization and hope they do show improvement, or
find a rare gem:
A young defenseman presently playing for a team that may fall out of contention who:
c) has shown continual improvement and can be counted on as a solid young top four guy,
d) and has already signed a longer contract with his present club.

You’ll find there are few in the category and less if you factor in the players present club being willing to trade him.

The other factors might be whether that specific team is looking long term at the future and feels
e) they need more scoring potential, or has earmarked forward departures they will need to fill,
f) feel that in the long run, adding a top flight youngster up front outweighs the loss of one on their backline (and that would be dependent upon of how the rest of their backline and farm can handle a departure of a blue liner).

Getting a short term plug or getting a long term fill to me is what determines the teams long term success or failure.

Sure Calgary can tell Kris Russell, “we are gonna make this deal, but we sure would love you to re-sign you next year when you are UFA…”, and get a few teams interested in overpaying for him.
I just don’t think he comes cheap because there will be interest from more than on club.

So I have composed the best long term dream scenario:

The islanders crap the bed, and know that the rebuild must be rebuilt.
They want Teravainen and are willing to sacrifice

Travis Harmonic for him.
Harmonic is signed until 2020, at a super reasonable $3,857,142.
(Check what most other defenders make if you think it isn’t.)

Sure, you stand the chance that TT finally ventures across the blue line and slashes his way to the rectangle area of middle ice, and making space for linemates, instead of pulling up, passing or carrying to the perimeter.

So, the Hawks would have to be pretty certain they saw his long term potential in a proper light.

My thought here is no matter what happens with TvR, Sveddy, and #52, you have solved a big part of a long term need with a super economical Cap hit.
- wiz1901

I think the Islanders fire their coach before they blow up their team fwiw.

When Chicago is effective they role 3 scoring lines and have 1 shut down line. I'd argue that having Teravainen on the 3rd line will boost the offense and help improve the team's overall depth.

In the long term I expect one of Teravainen, Dano and Panarin (least likely) to be dealt. But it should be for the right deal and hopefully something that addresses a specific need (i.e. defense).
- DarthKane

I'm with you. I don't think TT is a man without a spot because he's a top 6 RW. I think having top 6 players, skill-wise, on the 3rd line is a huge part of the team's success. If Dano can progress to 1LW, slot TT at 3RW with Kero/Tik/Garbutt/whoever, and I think you start seeing production from all the lines. Trading TT for a LW is a mistake, IMO.

I hope they keep Keith away from the Blues for his first game. They will be targeting him. It's in that team's DNA. Particularly after the "Wakey, wakey" episode.

Calgary is physical as well but less of a rivalry.
- tredbrta

Excellent point. And let's not forget that Keith already played through this injury without telling anyone; wouldn't want him to try and do that again after getting pummeled by the Blues

When Chicago is effective they role 3 scoring lines and have 1 shut down line. I'd argue that having Teravainen on the 3rd line will boost the offense and help improve the team's overall depth.

In the long term I expect one of Teravainen, Dano and Panarin (least likely) to be dealt. But it should be for the right deal and hopefully something that addresses a specific need (i.e. defense).
- DarthKane

Look at it like this, the 2nd line has scored 20 of the 39 Hawks goals, roughly 51% of all production. Stop that line and you stop the Blackhawks.

I'm with you. I don't think TT is a man without a spot because he's a top 6 RW. I think having top 6 players, skill-wise, on the 3rd line is a huge part of the team's success. If Dano can progress to 1LW, slot TT at 3RW with Kero/Tik/whoever, and I think you start seeing production from all the lines. Trading TT for a LW is a mistake, IMO.
- maria_wyeth

Dano can play 3RW and his game is better suited for RW and at that line right now.

That's a good point but Teravainen is being wasted away on his team as he is lost at LW and brings nothing in a 3rd line role where his game is not suited.

This first line has been foul at best and I have yet to see any good solution from the brass or board members here to resolve.
- Bjm84

Depends on who they get back, of course, but it seems a little early to give up on a 21 year old with a lot of upside who has struggled for 15 games.

If the return is good enough, sure - but it has to really solve another problem - top 4 defenseman cheap who will be here for a while - if the return doesn't solve a big problem, I'd rather send him to Rockford to see if he can get more LW experience.

Don't forget how he made us smile last year at not-LW.

Not unless we are getting back Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, PK Subban, ect...
- EnzoD

After Saad was traded I learned we can't rule anything out. It may be unlikely that the Bread Man is dealt, but you never know. If he starts demanded $8 million for his next contract he'll be hitting the road.

I hope they keep Keith away from the Blues for his first game. They will be targeting him. It's in that team's DNA. Particularly after the "Wakey, wakey" episode.

Calgary is physical as well but less of a rivalry.
- tredbrta

The Blues treated Shattenkirk really cautiously in coming back from the groin. I would do the same with Keith if I was Chicago. A few games play isn't worth it if there is any doubt regarding whether he is ready or not imho.

After Saad was traded I learned we can't rule anything out. It may be unlikely that the Bread Man is dealt, but you never know. If he starts demanded $8 million for his next contract he'll be hitting the road.
- DarthKane

Hopefully Bowman learned from the Saad ordeal and signs Panarin this coming offseason to a 3-4 year bridge deal.

Hopefully Bowman learned from the Saad ordeal and signs Panarin this coming offseason to a 3-4 year bridge deal.
- AfroPear

I don't blame Stan for the Saad situation. Saad's camp wouldn't negotiate until the end of the season so there was little Stan could do. But your point is valid, it would be beneficial to re-sign Panarin sooner rather than later.

Dano can play 3RW and his game is better suited for RW and at that line right now.
- Bjm84

Isn't that the problem though, that both Dano and TT are better suited playing RW? TT as LW is not working. A lot of people here have stated the FO is hoping Dano can be 1LW.

Either way, my point was more that people keep talking about trading TT because he is a top 6 RW without a spot. Trading a top 6 RW because he's playing on the 3rd line seems silly considering the way the Hawks have deployed three scoring lines and one shutdown line, and that has worked very well for them. Trading him for a legit defender is a different story, but shipping him out for a LW seems risky. Just my 2 cents.

I don't blame Stan for the Saad situation. Saad's camp wouldn't negotiate until the end of the season so there was little Satan could do. But your point is valid, it would be beneficial to re-sign Panarin sooner rather than later.
- DarthKane

I don't get why Bowman didn't extend Saad in the 2014 offseason. Would have saved him the headache and would have been cheaper as well.

I don't blame Stan for the Saad situation. Saad's camp wouldn't negotiate until the end of the season so there was little Satan could do. But your point is valid, it would be beneficial to re-sign Panarin sooner rather than later.
- DarthKane

Typo, or nickname for Stan?

I think the Islanders fire their coach before they blow up their team fwiw.
- fattybeef

Here's the thing:

No matter if they fire the coach or retin him, the hard reality is the Cap honeymoon is over on Tavares....and the thing is these kids from Nelson to Strome to Anders Lee haven't taken significant strides upwards, in my humble opinion.
They will dump Kyle Okposo instead of ponying up on him.

And you and I know Matt Martin has played for what seems to be forever for one million a year and is not gonna continue to.
You can argue the overpaid Leddy and Boychuk.

You can also decide if there are impact players in the pipeline who will be able to ascend. (Dal Colle, Josh Ho-Sang, Barzal) but trading for Teravainen at very least assures you HAVE a major league player who has experience in his progress, if not a complete game or high quanity and quality results just yet.

They have Ryan Pulock who looks to get a shot on defense soon and sure,....maybe they don't make the trade.

But if they decide to shake things up, attempting to acquire another high skilled forward who might just get Tavares the puck and starts finishing as his RW might be tempting, right?

I like Harmonic's contract and my only point of my post was so everyone here blabbing on and on, desiring a defensemen could see how little is REALLY available and that what IS available... isn't really the high level of player you want to trade for even IF his cap fits. you want a cap fit that comes with an acesnding younger backliner.
Not a Dougie Hamilton who mIGHT put it in place eventually but already exceeds his worth due to the Cap hit and fat contract you laid out to get him.

My entire point get both Cap Fit and real deal player.

Typo, or nickname for Stan?
- maria_wyeth

Yes