If Crawford does get traded, my money would be on Calgary. That is a situation where they are not very far from serious contention. Overachieved last season, underachieved this year.

Their biggest problem was goaltending this year, and they have an excellent core to build around(Monahan, Gaudreau, Brodie, Giordano, Backlund, Frolik, Bennett, Hamilton). Crawford would instantly stabilize their entire team. I have no doubt Treliving will explore a Crawford deal if he is going to be shopped.

If money allows it, maybe sign McGinn for one of the top 9 LW positions? Plays a hard game and goes down low and to the net. Did pretty well in Anaheim after he was dealt.
- 93Joe

Did well in Buffalo before being dealt too - really liked his game

No one blast me for this but Yakupov intrigues me. I wonder how he would look with Panarin and Anisimov. ( I have not seen him play much the last couple of years). That would certainly be one way to catch some Russian lighting in a bottle for cheap. Would the Oilers would give him up for cheap?
- bhawks2241

I said this a few months back. Yakupov is a finisher and would be pretty epic to have an all Russia 2nd line. Heck, Yak would add some speed and finishing to Toews line too. I think a trade based around TT for Yakupov is doable....not sure if Stan is interested.

Just wrote this in the Sabres thread too, but what about this to help your top 2 lines:

Tyler Ennis, 1 or 2 million retained (4.6M through 18/19) for TT

Ennis isn't a true top liner, but I'd think he's better than who played with Toews this season. Or he could replace Panarin so he could move up to play with Toews.

You make some really good points.

But . . . and I am not implying anything about Crawford per se. Alcoholism and addiction are real, and athletes are not impervious to them.

Bob Probert, Theo Fleury and many others limited their own careers, hurt their teams, caused a lot of wreckage around them—and they played in a former, more "dismissive," less media-dominated era.

Just like the hall of fame player who used to spend afternoons in the back room of an italian restaurant in the Loop—drinking up to 5 bottles of wine by himself.

The issue is society is a lot more intrusive now, and a lot less tolerant of alcoholic or addictive behaviors. And there' s a lot more money at stake now: for players, agents, sponsors and teams.

Don't kid yourself.

The odds, epidemiologically, of an NHL team having one to two players on the roster at any time who are addicts or raging alcoholics are pretty high. Being an athlete does NOT make you immune to it. In fact, in hockey especially, drinking is part of the culture. And if you have a genetic predisposition—which is proven to exist—look out.

So I think you should run the bolded comment above through that filter.
- John Jaeckel

John,

I take the issue of addiction very seriously, and it was not my intention to be flippant or dismissive of it. Personally knowing some former NHL'ers, I can attest to your numbers and impacts being accurate.

I also give the FO guys enough credit not to hang a mega contract on someone with a substance abuse problem.

It is just upsetting to me to see the comments surrounding CC get to the point where heresay accusations about going on a bender become part of the narrative to somehow discredit someone's character, while most of us prefer to deal in the facts. It cheapens the dialogue among an otherwise highly knowledgable and passionate group of fans.

Just wrote this in the Sabres thread too, but what about this to help your top 2 lines:

Tyler Ennis, 1 or 2 million retained (4.6M through 18/19) for TT

Ennis isn't a true top liner, but I'd think he's better than who played with Toews this season. Or he could replace Panarin so he could move up to play with Toews.
- stashu

I like Ennis' high end skill, but the Hawks dont need another smurf. What will it take to re-up Marcus Foligno? I like him as a bottom 6 power forward.

If he was open to a 1 year $1mil deal I think he would add some nice depth on LW either as a fill-in with 19 or on line 3. Wouldn't mind seeing Fleishmann brought back for dirt cheap for 3LW. Steeger had a solid campaign in Carolina but was banged up for most of his time in LA.
- EnzoD

I'd bring back Versteeg well before Weise and probably even before Fleishmann, although their respective salary demands would have an impact.

$1 million won't cut it for Steeger, he still has more than that to offer. If Shaw is dealt then sign Steeger for 2 years at around $2 million per.

I like Ennis' high end skill, but the Hawks dont need another smurf. What will it take to re-up Marcus Foligno? I like him as a bottom 6 power forward.
- EnzoD

Yeah, he's small, and playing with Kane if Panarin were elevated would make that a small but fast line (not sure how Panarin is, so forgive me if he's that way too).

Foligno will likely get a bit over the mandatory 10% raise/qualifying offer. I imagine something around 2.25 per for 2 or 3 years (currently 1.875 expiring RFA)

Just wrote this in the Sabres thread too, but what about this to help your top 2 lines:

Tyler Ennis, 1 or 2 million retained (4.6M through 18/19) for TT

Ennis isn't a true top liner, but I'd think he's better than who played with Toews this season. Or he could replace Panarin so he could move up to play with Toews.
- stashu

That is adding to our cap for a smurf. Our team is already small enough. Pass

You may be right. All good arguments for holding on to him. Here's the other side and why it's worth at least shopping him.

1) Does he regress further next year—or add to the emerging "brand" that he is Charmin soft and therefore limited?
2) HOW do you obtain the players you need to get back into contention: at least onelegit d-man and a LW? Guys like Kempny are a roll of the dice at best. So the other option is trade. And you trade a player when his value is at its highest.
3) The Hawks have damn few "replaceable" or non-essential guys who can bring value in return. Which goes back to your argument. TT's cost-certainty THIS YEAR makes him even mopre appealing as a trade chip.
- John Jaeckel

I agree with this 100%.

1) This label isn't emerging, it's full on out there. It's the reason he was brutal on the top line, he couldn't keep up with the 19/81 cycle game. If he can't play with 19, I'm not sure there is a spot for him in the top 6. He is not a bottom 6 player either.

2) I would take a cost controlled bottom 6 type and a pick for him. Cost certainty is more important to a team like the Hawks (and other teams know it). When that value is factored into trades, the Hawks will usually get the short end of the talent stick.

3) There are few guys on the Hawks with as much potential as TT. GM's would be more willing to roll the dice on them.

While TT may someday reach his potential, I don't think it will be with the Hawks. They cannot afford to be patient with him.

Kane produced when he had Bolland....Handzus...or Richards on his line/as his center.

Maybe Toews shouldn't have demanded 10.3 mil if he needed Saad or Sharp in order to be productive?

Toews gets "made up injury" excuses for poor season he did not live up to his contract. But Bickell who is legitimately not the same after actual surgeries, gets no excuses

Toews gets a free pass because they won Cups in the past, but Q doesn't as the coach of the team and second winningest in history

Why do the highest paid player in the league allowed the free pass but others not the same?

It's got nothing to do with Toews hate or Q love - but the reason they were in the cap crunch was Toews and Kane. Kane won the scoring title and the MVP. Toews had a horrible season. Hopefully his albatross contract doesn't continue the breakup of the team, but there's a very good chance it will. He going to need to produce a helluva lot more with less help next year, I hate to inform people

So either be ok with this team offense as is or raise expectations from Toews since he demanded the money

And not sure every GM would take Toews over Crosby, at least not this one
- PatShart

Kane produced goals and assists. So did Rob Brown. So did Jimmy Carson. So have many players who have never actually won squat.

When will some learn that goals and assists are really important for a skater. But really no more important than the player's defensive game. You allow five goals a game and score four, you lose. Math.

Kane is at best an average defensive player. When he tries, he's OK. But he doesn't always try. Toews is a Selke caliber player who at his best can be a point a game player.

Not better, just different.

Toews' numbers this past year really suffered—especially in assists, which suggests not having finishers on his wings. That's been his game. He still scored a "Toews-like" 28 goals. Off year through, and sure he deserves some blame.

Your implication seems to be Kane is just light years better than Toews because of his point production no matter who he plays with. It's just way more complicated than that.

And the more you value defense, leadership, killing penalties, etc, and that Toews is the best FO guy in the freaking league, and a pure center, it's why I think GMs would be split along some lines as to which player they prefer.

IMO in terms of today's cap, both players are at least slightly overpaid and Patrick has to look at himself over the round one loss as well.

Crawford to PHI makes no sense. Sounds like lazy journalism and going off of the old stereotypes that the Flyers have a lot of money and no goaltending. They are not going to trade assets for a goalie with such a large cap hit. Mason has probably been a top 5 regular season goalie over the last 2 years and Neuvirth played well in the playoffs. IMO, Flyers are comfortable with either goaltender starting games. And, in a more general opinion, I think the days of high priced goaltenders may be slowly coming to an end. It happens to often that teams make deep playoff run with "middle of the pack" goalies as opposed to the high priced veterans winning cups.
- wolphnuts12

You seriously believe that?? Wow and I thought we really overvalued our players here!!

Under your plan the Defense gets WORSE and we lose valuable leadership. Seabrook got a 1 MYA raise. Big deal. If we have to start trading guys like him we may as well go full rebuild. Ridiculous idea to move Seabrook. A longer summer will pay huge dividends for him. He damn near won that game against St.Louis...he just didn't get the bounce this time.
- kwolf68

The eye test tells you Seabrook is clearly in decline, the advanced stats in the 5 most relevant categories confirm it - 7 was ranked 118. Campbell was wait for it...67th. This deal sucks for the Hawks and it will be the whipping boy contract to replace Bickell's. I don't see him getting any faster, so it might be better to sell high. But you believe what you want.

Or monkeys could fly out of my butt, because that has about as much chance of happening as Kruger getting traded right now.

So let's be logical here.

1) You feel Kruger is not worth $3 million a year. Why would any of 29 NHL GMs, assuming you're right, not share your opinion? That's one issue.

2) Rarely, if ever, is a guy just signed to a multi-year deal, traded right before the deal kicks in. Has it EVER happened?

3) Third line shutdown C. Who assumes that role if Kruger is dealt?

4) Let's say Stanley disregards all of the above, there IS a market for player you feel is overpaid, and he deals him. How does $3 million or less in cap relief solve Shaw's new deal, and TT and Panarin the following summer, TVR too I believe? It doesn't come close.
- John Jaeckel

Jeff Carter

Do you think declining numbers were the result of injuries and having played so much hockey? I sure do. Even at 38 with a proper amount of time over the summer to recuperate, Hoss is still a big time player who knows how to win and set an example in the dressing room. (I'm sure he had a very positive effect on Panik too).

Playing him on the 3rd line means somebody much better has taken his spot on Line 1 - and I don't know who that would be.
- RickJ

Yep.

Unless Teuvo can bring back an asset to fill a current void (ie 4 or 5 dman) then I don't see the value in moving him, especially if Shaw is dealt. Without Shaw Teuvo becomes that versatile forward that can play any forward position (some better than others) and move up and down the lineup. Would Teravainen be as good as Shaw at this? No, but he's the next best option to fill this type of role. Plus, Stan will need Teravainen's low cap hit for this season and potentially beyond.
- DarthKane

I think we can all agree on this. That's pretty clear.

The eye test tells you Seabrook is clearly in decline, the advanced stats in the 5 most relevant categories confirm it - 7 was ranked 118. Campbell was wait for it...67th. This deal sucks for the Hawks and it will be the whipping boy contract to replace Bickell's. I don't see him getting any faster, so it might be better to sell high. But you believe what you want.
- Sundevil

Lets just trade em all. Now is a great time to deal Keith, his value will never be higher. Toews had an off year, move him.

Seabrook needs competent guys around him to take the wear and tear off him. You do't win Stanley Cups with talent alone, but you win them with character. And #7 brings all that. Move #7 then you may as well just go full rebuild.

IF you were to move him, you need to find better to replace him with than Soupy and Kempny (who I like both of them).

If Seabrook is moved it has to be for a bounty....I'd at least consider it for 3 pieces (combo of top picks + prospects) and not a damn bit less. Would the Oilers move Griffin Reinhart and a #1 for Seabrook? That's my starting point. (hey at least I didn't go after Draisatl or Nurse)

I said this a few months back. Yakupov is a finisher and would be pretty epic to have an all Russia 2nd line. Heck, Yak would add some speed and finishing to Toews line too. I think a trade based around TT for Yakupov is doable....not sure if Stan is interested.
- EnzoD

Not unless Bickell goes the other way, Yak's cap hit is $2.5 million.

But I think you're on the right track with Edmonton, they could be a good trade partner. The forward I'd want of their roster is Pat Maroon, especially if Stan cannot re-sign Shaw. While Maroon wouldn't be as effective as Shaw a cap hit of $1.5 for 2 more seasons is ideal for what he offers.

JJ,

You are advocating that TT might be at a relative "height" in terms of trade value at this point in his "progression" (?) as a player. I strongly agree.

After watching some IIHF hockey over the past few weeks, there are parts of the games of several Hawks prospects that could be attractive to another club: Hino, Motte, Pokka, Motte, Gus, etc.

Is it possible that any of these prospects could be valued somewhat higher as a "fit" within another organization? When paired with TT and salary dump, is it possible we could see a bigger haul than expected (top 4D/ top 6 LW)?

Crawford to PHI makes no sense. Sounds like lazy journalism and going off of the old stereotypes that the Flyers have a lot of money and no goaltending. They are not going to trade assets for a goalie with such a large cap hit. Mason has probably been a top 5 regular season goalie over the last 2 years and Neuvirth played well in the playoffs. IMO, Flyers are comfortable with either goaltender starting games. And, in a more general opinion, I think the days of high priced goaltenders may be slowly coming to an end. It happens to often that teams make deep playoff run with "middle of the pack" goalies as opposed to the high priced veterans winning cups.
- wolphnuts12

How many playoff series have Neuvirth or Mason won? Zero?

How many has Crawford won? 10. And two Cups.

Neuvirth may very well continue as he did the last half of the season in Philly. Or not. If I had a young team on the rise and was looking for a big time, credentialled goalie to help me go deep or win a Cup in the next few years, I would trade Steve Mason in a New York minute for a Corey Crawford.

Please stop being so parochial about people (me I guess) dissing the Flyers. This is the NHL, not fantasy hockey.

Mason is overpaid and can't stop a beach ball for long stretches every year. Neuvirth has been a backup his whole career til now. MAYBE he steps up and becomes a goalie you can win a Cup with. Until then, you better start lighting candles. or maybe get a guy on a bargain (for the price of the great Steve Mason), you KNOW can take you there.

And lets be clear, by the judgement of 95% of the anyone who follows hockey, Corey Crawford is a better bet than even Neuvirth—until proven otherwise.

My lazy journalism or your maybe needing to step back and take a broader perspective on NHL goaltending and what it would take for the Flyers to maybe win a Cup?

It is certainly an arguable point, but whatever.

Lets just trade em all. Now is a great time to deal Keith, his value will never be higher. Toews had an off year, move him.

Seabrook needs competent guys around him to take the wear and tear off him. You do't win Stanley Cups with talent alone, but you win them with character. And #7 brings all that. Move #7 then you may as well just go full rebuild.

IF you were to move him, you need to find better to replace him with than Soupy and Kempny (who I like both of them).

If Seabrook is moved it has to be for a bounty....I'd at least consider it for 3 pieces (combo of top picks + prospects) and not a damn bit less. Would the Oilers move Griffin Reinhart and a #1 for Seabrook? That's my starting point.
- kwolf68

Sell high and expect not a damn thing less. Seabrook is an absolute warrior and leader. An off year - yes, a bit. But it seems people pass up the intangibles he provides. He is NEEDED for another cup run.

Not unless Bickell goes the other way, Yak's cap hit is $2.5 million.

But I think you're on the right track with Edmonton, they could be a good trade partner. The forward I'd want of their roster is Pat Maroon, especially if Stan cannot re-sign Shaw. While Maroon wouldn't be as effective as Shaw a cap hit of $1.5 for 2 more seasons is ideal for what he offers.
- DarthKane

Who did Anaheim get for Maroon? That was a strange trade bc Maroon is a big body that can finish around the net and wreak havoc on the forecheck. Maroon had nearly a PPG with the Oil and was playing with McDavid to end the year. I wouldn't hold my breath on him but I like his game as well.

Lets just trade em all. Now is a great time to deal Keith, his value will never be higher. Toews had an off year, move him.

Seabrook needs competent guys around him to take the wear and tear off him. You do't win Stanley Cups with talent alone, but you win them with character. And #7 brings all that. Move #7 then you may as well just go full rebuild.

IF you were to move him, you need to find better to replace him with than Soupy and Kempny (who I like both of them).

If Seabrook is moved it has to be for a bounty....I'd at least consider it for 3 pieces (combo of top picks + prospects) and not a damn bit less. Would the Oilers move Griffin Reinhart and a #1 for Seabrook? That's my starting point.
- kwolf68

I know Seabrook had an off year, but how much of that can be attributed to fatigue and/or injury? My guess is that those are HUGE factors for this play this season. Seabs is a champion and proven winner, trading him would instantly make the team worse. I get the point of needing to create cap space, but trading Seabs would be a mistake.

Sell high and expect not a damn thing less. Seabrook is an absolute warrior and leader. An off year - yes, a bit. But it seems people pass up the intangibles he provides. He is NEEDED for another cup run.
- 93Joe

Absolutely. If Seabrook is a "salary dump" then shut the damn thing down. IF someone really wants what Seabrook brings (which as YOU correctly state are valuable to another Cup run) then it damn well better be worth it.

Seabrook is my favorite player on this team. I get it, that it's a business. If he needs to be traded so be it. Gretzky was moved, no one is immune, but it damn well better be a seriously good package and not a bunch of crap we usually get for these players. A #1, a top prospect at D (I didn't even go after Nurse) and another top pick or prospect THEN we'll talk about it.

Who did Anaheim get for Maroon? That was a strange trade bc Maroon is a big body that can finish around the net and wreak havoc on the forecheck. Maroon had nearly a PPG with the Oil and was playing with McDavid to end the year. I wouldn't hold my breath on him but I like his game as well.
- EnzoD

4th and a prospect. But they did this deal because they acquired Jamie McGinn from Buffalo.