If you can work Niklas Hjalmarsson into a JVR deal you may be on to something.

- Garnie

No you will get a 3rd pair d man and Tyler Motte

Did not get to see much of last nights game ,to many pops after hockey .. Losing by 1 goal to a team like Minny who has been on a roll of late is not great ,but hey could have gone either way . .I believe that the west is wide open this year and if the HAWKS who are always tough in 7 game series get on a role who knows .The game against Wash give them that terrible goal reversal and I believe the HAWKS very well could have made a game of it, I think you get Hartman back with Toews look for some depth players and take your best shot this year ..

Really would love to see StanBo make a push for JVR over Vanek.

If he could pull off packaging TVR and a prospect F for JVR, sign me up.

While I personally do like Vanek a lot skill wise, I just have a tough time thinking he can play at the pace that the Hawks do. During his stint in Minny he played on a fast team and he barely cracked the 20 goal plateau. Granted when he did play here on LI with Tavares his stats reflected potential to crack 30, I still feel that he just would not be able to keep pace on any Hawks line.

JVR could also somehow be a potential keeper in the long run (reaching here, I know) but he also plays a very solid 2way game. JVR-Toews-Hossa line would be one tough top F pair to go against from both ends of the ice.
- purepone

Not a big Vanek fan. He's allergic to defense and has not historically been much of a playoff performer. I guess if the price was minimal, it would be worth a shot, but I wouldn't give up any significant assets for him.

Necrosis? Bo Jackson.😥
Time will tell. And if so, LTIR becomes the silver lining. A small, very small silver lining, because cats like Keith and/or Toews do not grow on trees.

No you will get a 3rd pair d man and Tyler Motte
- Feds91Stammer

If it's based on recent trades, that's actually not off market value set by Hall and Kessel. I mean, Hall only pulled in a 3rd pair d-man, who at best could be a #4 on a so-so team, and Kessel's trade ended up being a 1st (with conditions and salary retained) + an offensive forward prospect (still in the AHL). Put those together and you have 3rd pair d-man and a forward prospect (though likely more than Motte) and/or a pick of some kind. Price will be driven up somewhat by the TDL or they'll hold him until next year when the haul would be better.

But lbr that both Hall and Kessel are better than JVR (and I say that as someone who wants JVR, as everyone here knows).

If you can work Niklas Hjalmarsson into a JVR deal you may be on to something.

- Garnie

JVR isn't likely going to pull in a top pairing d-man, not one of Hjammer's quality. Solid but nothing exceptional 2nd pair, though - like maybe Martinez from the Kings.

Knowing the holes this team has, can Stan afford to do nothing? You are in it to win it. Who knows what will shake out next year with the expansion draft? Talk of JVR, Vanek.. will cost us. Dont know how you do it. Is this the year they move Seabs and say Kempny/Forsling are the future? 19, 2, 7 all struggling. Dont know if 7 is fighting an injury, but he sure looks like he has lost a step.

Tough call, but we cant expect to go into the playoffs with one legit line again and expect to do much. Too many years of salary cap cuts and we are down to zero depth and an aging core, especially on D.

If it's based on recent trades, that's actually not off market value set by Hall and Kessel. I mean, Hall only pulled in a 3rd pair d-man, who at best could be a #4 on a so-so team, and Kessel's trade ended up being a 1st (with conditions and salary retained) + an offensive forward prospect (still in the AHL). Put those together and you have 3rd pair d-man and a forward prospect (though likely more than Motte) OR a pick of some kind. Price will be driven up somewhat by the TDL or they'll hold him until next year when the haul would be better.

But lbr that both Hall and Kessel are better than JVR (and I say that as someone who wants JVR, as everyone here knows).
- L_B_R

Neither trade is a good comparison for a JVR trade.

You probably are!!!!
- Garnie

Many good friends who are from my Canadian Tire days. Have to also admit how much I loved "The Sweater."

Not a big Vanek fan. He's allergic to defense and has not historically been much of a playoff performer. I guess if the price was minimal, it would be worth a shot, but I wouldn't give up any significant assets for him.
- Hank_Greenberg

One thing Vanek does and does well is finish off chances around the net, which on paper makes him a nice complement to 19 and 81 as a natural LW as well. The other two being two of the best defenders in the league from the forward position doesn't hurt either.

For the record, I don't know how valid these latest Vanek ruers are, but . . . I reported this summer the Hawks had Vanek high on their list before he signed in Detroit, and last week or two that they were looking at a trade for him. We'll see.

If it's based on recent trades, that's actually not off market value set by Hall and Kessel. I mean, Hall only pulled in a 3rd pair d-man, who at best could be a #4 on a so-so team, and Kessel's trade ended up being a 1st (with conditions and salary retained) + an offensive forward prospect (still in the AHL). Put those together and you have 3rd pair d-man and a forward prospect (though likely more than Motte) and/or a pick of some kind. Price will be driven up somewhat by the TDL or they'll hold him until next year when the haul would be better.

But lbr that both Hall and Kessel are better than JVR (and I say that as someone who wants JVR, as everyone here knows).
- L_B_R

Hawks have two areas to deal from:

Young bottom 6 forwards with potential (Hartman, Hino, Motte), a young sort of 2nd/3rd line forward with potential (Schmaltz), and young defensemen (TVR, Kempny, Forsling)

No one is going to give you crap for Svedberg or Gus. And yes there was a time when i thought Svedberg might have some value. He doesn't.

I have heard that right now, they do not wish to trade their 1st round pick this year.

So to get a guy like Vanek, do the math— Will probably take a young forward AND a young d-man, and likely at least one of those will be viewed as an "overpay" by Hawk fans.

It is . . . what it is.

One thing Vanek does and does well is finish off chances around the net, which on paper makes him a nice complement to 19 and 81 as a natural LW as well. The other two being two of the best defenders in the league from the forward position doesn't hurt either.

For the record, I don't know how valid these latest Vanek ruers are, but . . . I reported this summer the Hawks had Vanek high on their list before he signed in Detroit, and last week or two that they were looking at a trade for him. We'll see.
- John Jaeckel

Fair point, JJ. Just wonder if (when?) his defensive deficiencies will land him in Q's Doghouse ....

Hawks have two areas to deal from:

Young bottom 6 forwards with potential (Hartman, Hino, Motte), a young sort of 2nd/3rd line forward with potential (Schmaltz), and young defensemen (TVR, Kempny, Forsling)

No one is going to give you crap for Svedberg or Gus. And yes there was a time when i thought Svedberg might have some value. He doesn't.

I have heard that right now, they do not wish to trade their 1st round pick this year.

So to get a guy like Vanek, do the math— Will probably take a young forward AND a young d-man, and likely at least one of those will be viewed as an "overpay" by Hawk fans.

It is . . . what it is.
- John Jaeckel

And unless Toronto is going to retain salary on JVR how does that work? It doesn't
You will have a bonus carryover very close to this year's number when all is said and done.
You will have an elevated salary to Panarin
JVR is signed for another year at a 4.5 cap hit.

Numbers don't work....they will look for a UFA who they can get without giving up a top pick OR a Hartmann or Vinny and go from there. TVR might not be the one dealt as they need him to expose for the expansion draft in June.

The injury card sounds a whole lot like an excuse. Toews with 0 SOG last night. If he has an injury, he should be off the ice and rehabbing it. Like you said, you don't have his medical file. So, as long as he is suiting up every night, he needs to start resembling the guy that got the $10.5mil contract. Toews' line was once again a non-factor offensively. Meanwhile, Patrick Kane continues to play like a Super-Star and reigning Hart+Art Ross Trophy winner. 72+88 are a reason to watch every night, regardless of the rest of the roster and whether or not they can win another Cup.

Side note (a little off topic) - rewatch Minny's 3rd goal last night. To me it looked like TVR forgot that he was playing on the left side last night (which is a change for him). He went to the right defenseman's spot. I thought the Hawks played Minny fairly even and although Minny is definitely playing better right now I think the Hawks would have a decent chance in a 7 game series, with or without home ice. One of the strengths of the Hawks is that the farther a series goes the more they figure out how to beat the opponent.
- -Doh-

Hawks have the mental edge on the Wild as the playoffs two years ago attest to. The coaches had a specific plan to go against the hawks that series and the team completely disregarded it and tried to run and gun with the Hawks and got swept. Until they actually prove they can beat them in a playoff series I want nothing to do with Chitown in the playoffs.

JJ, great take on the current struggles! I am of the belief that if Keith and 19 are hurt, you sit them down now. Prior to All Star break so come stretch time they are ready. I think as a fan base we are falling into the mindset that guys from the farm are going to come in and "replace" Shaw for example. Hartman has shown a lot, I think he will be an NHLer. But the impact this team felt from Game 1 with Shaw in the lineup til his last in a Hawk sweater, feels different. Shaw may not have been a guy that can impact a game like an 88 or 72, but what he added to our lineup just doesnt seem to be Hartman's style. He can play a little pesty but Shaw stuck in our lineup since he was first called up. I think it might just be a bit lofty to think Hartman can make that impact. FWIW

It seemed like this season was always a "let's see what happens" kind of year. They played the kids and got to see what they have, some good, some okay, some not so much. They signed Campbell and Rosi as short term gap-filling defensemen to deal with that problem of last season. And, they got to see what a longer summer did for the health of the core.

Now here we are just past mid-season and the good news is that they banked some points in the standings. But the bad news is that two or three or four members of the core are banged up (19, 2, 7, & 16) and there are still holes (top 6 LW, forward depth, possibly defense depth.)

So even if they add one or two or three players to the roster, can they really win a cup if 19 and 2 are not 100% or even 90%, maybe not 80%? Probably not. If they did win a Cup this year, it would be the most unexpected of the most recent championships.

But if they do decide to pass on adding rentals to make a cup run, I hope they do take advantage of the trade deadline to move a higher paid piece or two when they might be able to get a better return from a team ready to make a run of their own. And, they should sit 19, 2, and anyone else who needs to recover from injury.

John Jaeckel: It is what it is
- John Jaeckel

What is wrong with Toews? Could be a back injury, but what about last year? This has been a year and a half slump. I myself am getting more and more worried. It very well could be a lack of a quality LW.

Keith may not be as bad as people think. He is 2nd among Defensemen (5th overall) in assists and 5th among defensemen in points. Still looking pretty effective. I am more worried about Seabrook.

I think the answer is to make a deal to SELL at the deadline. Eat the bonus overage on this year's cap and reload for next year. This team needs a season where they are not having their head half underwater with the cap, and then I think the can truly contend.

I'd rather Stan do nothing, than over pay for a 20 game rental. This team has too many holes.....

If he can swing a deal for a young top 6 winger or center that is cost controlled for a few years, I'd be more inclined to deal assets.

Neither trade is a good comparison for a JVR trade.
- Feds91Stammer

Eh, there are definitely factors that are different - summer vs TDL, salary, and some outside team factors - but lbr JVR is not as good a player as those guys. Again, I say this as someone who really likes JVR (as anyone here could attest). Like I said, I do think it being the TDL that the price will be pushed up, especially if salary is retained, but those are good bases for a trade comparison to start.

Ftr I do think the Leafs will get better than TVR (+a bottom 6 forward prospect) for JVR - but I don't think he'll pull in a top pair d-man unless the Leafs throw in something else. Did anyone think Hall would only pull in only Larsson, who hasn't proved he can be anything more than a bottom pair guy? JVR's value is at it's highest it's likely ever going to be given his age, so unless the Leafs 1) think they have a legit shot at the cup or 2) think they can resign him in July next year, this may be the best time to maximize his return. And the Hawks don't have that to give back, anyway, so it's moot discussion if that's what the Leafs want.

I'd rather Stan do nothing, than over pay for a 20 game rental. This team has too many holes.....

If he can swing a deal for a young top 6 winger or center that is cost controlled for a few years, I'd be more inclined to deal assets.
- tompo1015

If the Hawks do nothing then they have a tough decision to make, they have to honor the salary cap and actually unload someone, and if you're going to do it the most value you will get is before the trade deadline, hate saying it but unfortunately it's true

Really would love to see StanBo make a push for JVR over Vanek.

If he could pull off packaging TVR and a prospect F for JVR, sign me up.

While I personally do like Vanek a lot skill wise, I just have a tough time thinking he can play at the pace that the Hawks do. During his stint in Minny he played on a fast team and he barely cracked the 20 goal plateau. Granted when he did play here on LI with Tavares his stats reflected potential to crack 30, I still feel that he just would not be able to keep pace on any Hawks line.

JVR could also somehow be a potential keeper in the long run (reaching here, I know) but he also plays a very solid 2way game. JVR-Toews-Hossa line would be one tough top F pair to go against from both ends of the ice.
- purepone

If you think JVR plays a 2-way game then you've never watched him.

Hawks have two areas to deal from:

Young bottom 6 forwards with potential (Hartman, Hino, Motte), a young sort of 2nd/3rd line forward with potential (Schmaltz), and young defensemen (TVR, Kempny, Forsling)

No one is going to give you crap for Svedberg or Gus. And yes there was a time when i thought Svedberg might have some value. He doesn't.

I have heard that right now, they do not wish to trade their 1st round pick this year.

So to get a guy like Vanek, do the math— Will probably take a young forward AND a young d-man, and likely at least one of those will be viewed as an "overpay" by Hawk fans.

It is . . . what it is.
- John Jaeckel

I think Hartman is closer to middle 6 talent with Schmaltz than with bottom 6 talent like Hino and Motte, but otherwise I agree. Well, and that Gus has some value (very very small as a throw in) vs Svedberg who has zero.

Vanek would be a waste for this particular team - not only would it cost more than other options but he doesn't fit Q's system (which we all know how that works out).

If top 6 talent is too hard to come by (which it sounds like it is, currently), then maybe go for small upgrades with some offense (Parenteau?) and/or defense (Riley Nash type). Longer shot of working but lower risk / less costly.

As far as I'm concerned, last year was "transitional" as well...or it should've been viewed that way.

And I agree with this approach.

"...or take the somewhat unusual step of pulling back from the table, holding on to young assets this Spring, and assessing a few things."

If you can work Niklas Hjalmarsson into a JVR deal you may be on to something.

- Garnie

If Hammer is the price for JVR...

...hang up the phone.