I am really starting to think maybe these guys should be spending a couple months off. Toews has played a F of a lot of hockey. Probably a good idea to give his body a rest.
- Aetherial

They all did thanks to getting eliminated in the first round. These guys no their bodies. They took some time off right away (Toews went to Europe with his girlfriend) and then got back to training.

His post was a reaction to a couple of leaf fans that were saying that there was "no way" Toronto would have any interest in trading for Crawford, especially at his cap number. They just gave a lesser goalie close to the same money.
- Chunk

The Leafs are so early on in rebuilding though. Age had to be a huge factor.

I don't even love the trade or the contract to be honest.

Lesser or Wayyyyy Lesser as someone else said, really remains to be seen at this stage of their careers and going forward.

They all did thanks to getting eliminated in the first round. These guys no their bodies. They took some time off right away (Toews went to Europe with his girlfriend) and then got back to training.
- golfbard

Yeah, it was more of a general observation I have made before. Athletes these days really work hard pretty much all year round. Hard work and preparation is great and everything, but it does come at a price of wear and tear on the body.

If your questioning off ice work ethic maybe question Toews not Kanes.

1. You definitely questioned his work ethic.


2. Toews is a player that focuses just as much on defensive skills as offensive skills. Completely different style of player than Kane, and their focus on improvement is in different areas. Toews still scored 28 goals this year on a line that he basically had to carry by himself, and he was one of the top defensive forwards in hockey again, and was the best faceoff man in the league.

His offensive skill and stats will likely never reach Kane's level, and that's okay. Kane will never be a great defensive forward, and that's okay.

Questioning the work either one of them put into their game is just ridiculous, to be honest.
- Hawks_49

Alright....Let me clarify what I meant, I questioned his work ethic regarding skill development. Not his work ethic regarding conditioning and weight training. I also get the point of rest. Some of the guys I know in the AHL, take a month of after the season. They call it "de-training" and literally do nothing but maybe yoga once or twice a week to keep everything loose.

I stand by my comment that no part of Toews offensive game has really improved since he came into the league not even the last 2-3 years. If anything it has gone down a bit. Shaw takes just as much of a pounding as Toews but he managed to improve his first step quickness/power last offseason.

Kane has improved his defensive game a lot since he came into the league. He also has improved his offensive game and his conditioning and body type.

I don't buy the excuse that Toews is too busy with other aspects of his game to improve his offense. Either he doesn't have the talent to improve at this level or he doesn't spend as much time on it as he should. I personally think the talent is there. We see how good his hands are in the shootout and how dynamic he was his first couple of years in the league.

This team is up against the cap big time. That means guys on the roster will have to get better that includes Toews, Hossa, Seabrook, and Keith. The roster is probably worse than last years playoff roster. If the big guns not named Kane don't have better years. It will end the same way.

Sorry if you think Toews is above any type of criticism but he isn't.

Eberle for Fowler, perhaps? Makes sense, but unlikely because of being division rivals.
- hawks2010

Division rivals means nothing. We traded Chelios to Detroit for God's sake!!

They all did thanks to getting eliminated in the first round. These guys no their bodies. They took some time off right away (Toews went to Europe with his girlfriend) and then got back to training.
- golfbard

I would think the team trainers have a say too. I just made a comment about that. Taking a month completely off or so after the season is pretty normal I think. A lot of minor muscle tears and damage that can't heal during the season.

I would think the team trainers have a say too. I just made a comment about that. Taking a month completely off or so after the season is pretty normal I think. A lot of minor muscle tears and damage that can't heal during the season.
- bhawks2241

No question these guys are working with the Hawks training staff.

The Leafs are so early on in rebuilding though. Age had to be a huge factor.

I don't even love the trade or the contract to be honest.

Lesser or Wayyyyy Lesser as someone else said, really remains to be seen at this stage of their careers and going forward.
- Aetherial

You should be thrilled with the trade because it means Bernier is gone, gone.

Assuming they pretty much know where the cap is gonna settle, I think it all comes down to Shaw.

Again, It seems like Shaw is the domino that has to fall first. If the Hawks make some kind of trade that subtracts cap room, BEFORE there is a deal is announced for Shaw, then it looks good that Shaw is returning.

If nothing changes cap-wise in the next week or so, then I put the odds at 65-35 Shaw is gone.
- John Jaeckel

Is Shaw the natural "first domino" because they are trying to do this bridge deal concept? The more and more I hear about this board's value of Panarin, the more unlikely I find it that they can take Ladd for any number of years close to his market value (which I have to assume is upwards of $4M).

Alright....Let me clarify what I meant, I questioned his work ethic regarding skill development. Not his work ethic regarding conditioning and weight training. I also get the point of rest. Some of the guys I know in the AHL, take a month of after the season. They call it "de-training" and literally do nothing but maybe yoga once or twice a week to keep everything loose.

I stand by my comment that no part of Toews offensive game has really improved since he came into the league not even the last 2-3 years. If anything it has gone down a bit. Shaw takes just as much of a pounding as Toews but he managed to improve his first step quickness/power last offseason.

Kane has improved his defensive game a lot since he came into the league. He also has improved his offensive game and his conditioning and body type.

I don't buy the excuse that Toews is too busy with other aspects of his game to improve his offense. Either he doesn't have the talent to improve at this level or he doesn't spend as much time on it as he should. I personally think the talent is there. We see how good his hands are in the shootout and how dynamic he was his first couple of years in the league.

This team is up against the cap big time. That means guys on the roster will have to get better that includes Toews, Hossa, Seabrook, and Keith. The roster is probably worse than last years playoff roster. If the big guns not named Kane don't have better years. It will end the same way.

Sorry if you think Toews is above any type of criticism but he isn't.
- bhawks2241

Over the course of their careers, they have the same number of goals, and Toews has done it with less shots. Kane just has a lot more assists. Even looking at this past year, Kane had 0.4% better shooting percentage, but over 100 more shots. Toews "offensive skills" improve greatly if he just shoots more. They play different positions and are different types of players. I've got no issue with either.

I'm not sure if I'm missing the point to this, but how does ridding Shaw create decent cap space? It adds what, $1.5 in cap? The team might have to subtract two salaries if Shaw doesn't do a bridge deal. If you lose CC's full cap, then there is a bit more flexibility. I see no choice but to unload CC. Which by the way, I know none of us really want.

I gotta say, if Vesey is all that he's cracked up to be in terms of a prospect, I really like the Sabres move. Use a 3rd round pick to take a chance you can turn it into a big time prospect. They gain exclusive rights to whisper in his ear for 60 days.

Good risk for a middling pick.

Though before we get too far ahead of ourselves, maybe Vesey is the equivalent of the 2013 Hobey Baker winner. Drew LeBlanc, affectionately referred to as "leBlah" here. Heard of him?

Wiz: If Vesey were available in the upcoming draft, where would he go?

I'm not sure if I'm missing the point to this, but how does ridding Shaw create decent cap space? It adds what, $1.5 in cap? The team might have to subtract two salaries if Shaw doesn't do a bridge deal. If you lose CC's full cap, then there is a bit more flexibility. I see no choice but to unload CC. Which by the way, I know none of us really want.
- 93Joe

The issue is...is there still a market for him? If Calgary trades for MAF, then who?

@reporterchris

Michael Hutchinson's two-year extension with the #NHLJets carries an AAV of $1.15M.

@reporterchris

Michael Hutchinson's two-year extension with the #NHLJets carries an AAV of $1.15M.
- DarthKane

Damn... $1.15? Seems like a hell of a bargain.

Panarin-Toews-Hossa
Panik- Anisimov- Kane

#1LW filled, and we all know kane can drag some crap around on his opposite wing and be fine *cough* versteeg *cough*
- the_dough_boy

I'd feel better if Panik was on a lower line. I'm not ready to anoint him to the second line, and hope the Hawks fine someone willing to take a one year deal for a shot at the Cup at that spot.

The issue is...is there still a market for him? If Calgary trades for MAF, then who?
- CanOCorn

Good point Can. Additionally, your guess is as good as mine... Maybe Winnipeg? Despite their recent signing... Losing a $6M compared to a $1.5M-2M makes a bit of a difference. If both with taking little to none back, then I'd say the Hawks would be ok.

You should be thrilled with the trade because it means Bernier is gone, gone.
- RickJ

God it was so awful to watch Bernier last year. In October - December I don't even think he was an ECHL caliber goalie.

Hey Wiz,

DraftSite.com has the Hawks taking Red Deer Dman Josh Mahura with the 2nd rounder from the Tuevo/Bickell trade. What is your take on this player and who do you think the Hawks should take/might be available at #50? Thanks!
- EnzoD

Mahura may be very well gone by slot 50 even though he was out for the year with an MCL injury. He would have probably gotten chosen in the first or very early 2nd if he had built on his play from last year. The kid has soft hands, fits the hawks hard pass and reception style, and is such a good skater. Is smart and mistake-free positionaly for 200 feet. He doesn't over-extend who he plays and his skating, well, there is a deceptive glide in his long stride, and can unsuspectingly get past oppoenets before the realize.

They also have the Hawks taking a BIG 6'4.25" (but skinny 167lbs??) defenseman James Greenway with the USNDT at pick 83. Your thoughts?
- EnzoD

That THEY is me...I ranked those players, wrote those profiles
Greenway may find some team taking him much earlier too, but not sure he is worth it as he just simply has shown in every watch by me he lacks Hockey IQ anf decison making right now.He is slow to react, but does have good tools and size decent feet. Another guy who is slow in te pivot to his backward pedal. Since his brotehr was picked so early teams might back on him being a late bloomer. The fun thing Hawks fans should know if the visit DraftSite, is I make sure my this point to surround the Blackhawk slots with players I like even in the picks before and after...so when you click on Greenway's name, you also should look at the profiles of Jordan Sambrook and Dylan Coghlan because they are there for my enjoyment..and yours, as alternate Blackhawk picks!

EDIT#2: Hawks have the 95th pick (4th in Round 4) from the Saad trade. Some nice early/mid round picks to develop players for a few years out! I'm pretty pumped for the draft in Chi-town next summer
- EnzoD

Same goes with that #95 slot and the surronding forwards: Henrik Borgström Tim Wahlgren Brandon Hagel and Travis Barron.



See if you can find a site where a mock draft has the hawks taking the raw Belgium goalie Wouter Peeters who was impressive when I saw him live in their NA tour here...just big and quick at this point, but I can dream, can't I?

@reporterchris

Michael Hutchinson's two-year extension with the #NHLJets carries an AAV of $1.15M.
- DarthKane

Dominoes. There is part of the return for Crawford (red font)

I gotta say, if Vesey is all that he's cracked up to be in terms of a prospect, I really like the Sabres move. Use a 3rd round pick to take a chance you can turn it into a big time prospect. They gain exclusive rights to whisper in his ear for 60 days.

Good risk for a middling pick.

Though before we get too far ahead of ourselves, maybe Vesey is the equivalent of the 2013 Hobey Baker winner. Drew LeBlanc, affectionately referred to as "leBlah" here. Heard of him?

Wiz: If Vesey were available in the upcoming draft, where would he go?
- Cmonalready

Good question. I am not sure I have heard anyone put it that way.

I can't see him being top 10. Maybe mid-late teens?

God it was so awful to watch Bernier last year. In October - December I don't even think he was an ECHL caliber goalie.
- Aetherial

You and I weren't the only ones to notice, won't be many takers unless Lou throws something else in to help move him.

I gotta say, if Vesey is all that he's cracked up to be in terms of a prospect, I really like the Sabres move. Use a 3rd round pick to take a chance you can turn it into a big time prospect. They gain exclusive rights to whisper in his ear for 60 days.

Good risk for a middling pick.

Though before we get too far ahead of ourselves, maybe Vesey is the equivalent of the 2013 Hobey Baker winner. Drew LeBlanc, affectionately referred to as "leBlah" here. Heard of him?

Wiz: If Vesey were available in the upcoming draft, where would he go?
- Cmonalready

He probably should have gone in the third the year he was picked....I had him going #84, not 66th where he was selected.

If he were in this draft, he fits somewhere sandwiched between the prospects at defense, anywhere from 6th overall to 12th.
Again he is a big poweful college level player who has jump moves and good hands but we have seen them internatioanlly on occasion and against college boys.

He has talent and I would bet if he was draftable team would take him over the highly regarded Clayton Keller Tyler Jost and Keiifer Bellows...but what do I know.

Dominoes. There is part of the return for Crawford (red font)
- ikeane

The Jets will expose him in the expansion draft.

Should be a very interesting week/weekend in the hockey world. Big trades coming, maybe even involving StanBo? I think the Hawks should go defense unless a highly rated Forward falls in the draft. They have no depth in the system on D and The Big 3 are all getting older...
- EnzoD

Hire a guy who knows scouting best, allow him to identify the best scouts, hire them and pay them the best and draft whomever the consensus says is the very best player on the board every time you draft.

4-5-6 excellent organIzatiol options at any position allows for trades to be made to fill a need instead of reaching on draft day for need.