Of the UFA/RFA crowd, the only forward I like is Martin Hanzal. Dude can play C and LW and is a beast. Vanek ...I think the expiration date has long since passed. Anyone else is too expensive or not an upgrade to what they have now.

My money is on Russian imports to address the top six issue. Maybe Tkachyov...but his contract does not expire in the KHL until 4/30/17. Shipachyov likely a re-sign by SKA - they are already talking extension to stay in KHL.

TVR won't be traded as he is one of the few players that can be left eligible for the expansion draft - something the Hawks are struggling with right now.

TBL suck again. Why not try trading for Drouin ?
- mrpaulish

Yea, I thought Tampa coach wanted scmaltz for drouin. Do it.

Saw a story by Haugh that said the Hawks may have inquired about Patrick Sharp? Interesting to say the least. JJ any info on that?
- z1990z

Seabs for Sharp and Oduya. (They want crow, though.)

GO HOCKS

Just thinking - while we're speculating on What's Wrong with Jonny - he still successfully takes over 10 face-offs per game - his winning percentage is where it's always been.

I would think a bad back would hurt him in this activity - bending over, stress on the back, twisting the back....
- StLBravesFan

Any time he would need leverage while skating something like that would have an effect on him. But more so laterally than in a straight line. Faceoffs are head to head, plus anticipation with good quick hands can make up for a lot of brute strength.
When turning on ice there is a cross over with the inner edge followed by a cross under with the outer edge. It's the push with the cross under that I simply don't have anymore. It feels like there is no strength. And it seems to me that something is affecting JT's strength. If JJ was right and necrosis is the issue that's a bad thing. Rest won't help.

Of the UFA/RFA crowd, the only forward I like is Martin Hanzal. Dude can play C and LW and is a beast. Vanek ...I think the expiration date has long since passed. Anyone else is too expensive or not an upgrade to what they have now.

My money is on Russian imports to address the top six issue. Maybe Tkachyov...but his contract does not expire in the KHL until 4/30/17.

TVR won't be traded as he is one of the few players that can be left eligible for the expansion draft - something the Hawks are struggling with right now.
- Return of the Roar

When trying to guess what Stan will do I am wrong more often than right, but I don't see him paying the high price to get Hanzal. I'm sure it will cost any team a 1st round pick and a decent prospect. Although he would be a good addition I don't see it happening. Vanek is certainly a possibility and maybe a guy like Stafford (not advocating getting him, just using him as an example).

Keith never got beat 1v1 during his run as a Top 3 Dman in the entire NHL from 2008-2015. He has been getting beaten far too often lately. I'd argue that an injury that limits mobility/quickness would in fact be a decline in ability. He injured the knee in the 2015 playoffs if I'm not mistaken. Once you lose a step due to injury, it's hard to get it back.
- EnzoD

That was true 25-30 years ago. Not as much anymore, granted, depends on the injury.

Yea, I thought Tampa coach wanted scmaltz for drouin. Do it.
- hocktock

I'm sure Tampa would want more than Schmaltz for Drouin. The challenge with Drouin is that he's an RFA this summer, I doubt the Hawks can afford to pay him what he will want.

Yea, I thought Tampa coach wanted scmaltz for drouin. Do it.
- hocktock

Sarcasm?

A few responses on this thread:

Niklas Hjalmarsson is not getting traded for JVR or Tomas Vanek, or for JVR AND Tomas Vanek.

Showing pictures of Toews bowling as proof he is not playing though an injury is like showing pictures of Toews playing hockey as proof he is not playing through an injury. Oh . . . wait . . .

I've had back issues. i've bowled. I've bowled and played hockey while I've had back issues. Hockey is . . . ummm . . . tougher.

We KNOW he and Keith both had fairly serious injuries (Toews back, Keith knee) within the last 4 months. We know both are not playing to their previous standards and don't look right.

Connect the dots.

A few responses on this thread:

Niklas Hjalmarsson is not getting traded for JVR or Tomas Vanek, or for JVR AND Tomas Vanek.

Showing pictures of Toews bowling as proof he is not playing though an injury is like showing pictures of Toews playing hockey as proof he is not playing through an injury. Oh . . . wait . . .

I've had back issues. i've bowled. I've bowled and played hockey while I've had back issues. Hockey is . . . ummm . . . tougher.

We KNOW he and Keith both had fairly serious injuries (Toews back, Keith knee) within the last 4 months. We know both are not playing to their previous standards and don't look right.

Connect the dots.
- John Jaeckel

What about Hammer 4 Landeskog .Or is that even dumber

Seabs for Sharp and Oduya. (They want crow, though.)

GO HOCKS
- hocktock

Pass on Sharp. He's been hurt all year.

What about Hammer 4 Landeskog .Or is that even dumber
- oldduffman

I think it's harder to find a good top 4 Dman--like Hammer--than it is to find a top 6 winger--like Landeskog.

I'd prefer to keep Hammer....or Colorado needs to sweeten the pot.

We could fit Nelson in this year I believe. And we could trade his rights this summer if we cannot fit him under the cap. What If we gave up a 1st and 2nd and Dano for droiun last year. We would have still had danult and would still have 1 LW. We have massively overpaid for expiring contracts and we need to stop doing it. Every other team has.

I think it's harder to find a good top 4 Dman--like Hammer--than it is to find a top 6 winger--like Landeskog.

I'd prefer to keep Hammer....or Colorado needs to sweeten the pot.
- tompo1015

I guess just wondering about Hammers expiring contract in two years .And Landeskog is signed to a nice deal for awhile . Maybe the Avs could throw in a 2 or 3 pick , but I believe they would see it differently .. It will most likely be Vanick 50/50 if that will work out . Hope it is not to costly

A few responses on this thread:

Niklas Hjalmarsson is not getting traded for JVR or Tomas Vanek, or for JVR AND Tomas Vanek.

Showing pictures of Toews bowling as proof he is not playing though an injury is like showing pictures of Toews playing hockey as proof he is not playing through an injury. Oh . . . wait . . .

I've had back issues. i've bowled. I've bowled and played hockey while I've had back issues. Hockey is . . . ummm . . . tougher.

We KNOW he and Keith both had fairly serious injuries (Toews back, Keith knee) within the last 4 months. We know both are not playing to their previous standards and don't look right.

Connect the dots.
- John Jaeckel

No doubt hockey is harder on the body. Posted the pics as proof of nothing but a contribution to conversation about whether you could, or more importantly, SHOULD bowl with a back injury. Why would the Hawks OK it is f there was a risk of further aggravating or setting back recovery? Their call, of course, just interesting. Bigger point of my post was fact it appears he and Keith are getting mobility therapy.

The only person I've seen report "back" vs "upper body" is
Chris Kuc, quoting an anonymous source. Did anyone from the team or Toews himself confirm? Ask because to me his balance and puck control/vision and affect on passing (to and from)is now a bigger issue.

For people talking about trading Hammer - I just don't get it. The main problem this team has is the salary cap. Why trade one of the players that has the best cap value, especially for a player making more money?

At 4.1M Hammer is a huge value for his play. If the Hawks "had" to trade a defenseman, as much as I like him and don't want to see him go, Seabrook is the one I would trade. A cap hit of 6.875M, and at 30 years old, I am not sure the value is there anymore.

If I had to trade anyone though, I was be on the Crawford train. At 6M cap, I think Darling is the most capable to take over as a replacement for anyone currently on the roster. Is Crawford better than Darling...Yes, but I think it's the best way to free up cap space and minimize the decline of the team.

With an aging core, is it time to take a page from the Spurs and give these guys maintenance days here and there? If so, Crow is the only one I'd want playing during the all-star break. Maybe Kane would be ok too, but Toews and Keith need to rest.

For people talking about trading Hammer - I just don't get it. The main problem this team has is the salary cap. Why trade one of the players that has the best cap value, especially for a player making more money?

At 4.1M Hammer is a huge value for his play. If the Hawks "had" to trade a defenseman, as much as I like him and don't want to see him go, Seabrook is the one I would trade. A cap hit of 6.875M, and at 30 years old, I am not sure the value is there anymore.

If I had to trade anyone though, I was be on the Crawford train. At 6M cap, I think Darling is the most capable to take over as a replacement for anyone currently on the roster. Is Crawford better than Darling...Yes, but I think it's the best way to free up cap space and minimize the decline of the team.
- spudrock512

I agree--trading Seabrook--is the wiser choice. Seabrook's contract will be like an anchor on this team in the near future.
Trading Seabrook at the TDL would be seen as a "white flag" by the fans....but some GM might overpay for him.

I'm not sure trading Crawford is the best chose. Darling is a free agent, and can sign anywhere--and some GM WILL overpay for Darling.

On the other hand, Crawford will probably return at least a mid range first round pick. But, if you move Crawford and Darling doesn't resign and leaves for free agency, you have no quality goaltender signed for next season.

Sarcasm?
- L_B_R

No. I'm not saying 1 for 1 but I remember J.j.reporting that Cooper wanted scmaltz if the deal could be made. If'n I'm remember'n crecktly.

For people talking about trading Hammer - I just don't get it. The main problem this team has is the salary cap. Why trade one of the players that has the best cap value, especially for a player making more money?

At 4.1M Hammer is a huge value for his play. If the Hawks "had" to trade a defenseman, as much as I like him and don't want to see him go, Seabrook is the one I would trade. A cap hit of 6.875M, and at 30 years old, I am not sure the value is there anymore.

If I had to trade anyone though, I was be on the Crawford train. At 6M cap, I think Darling is the most capable to take over as a replacement for anyone currently on the roster. Is Crawford better than Darling...Yes, but I think it's the best way to free up cap space and minimize the decline of the team.
- spudrock512

As I have said Hammers deal ends in two season and Landeskog is signed for 4 years . Hammer will come up the same time a Panarian . And he will be looking for a big deal along the lines of Seabrook . Also believe you are underestimating what a Landeskog at 24 could bring to this team now and in the future .Don't believe Seabs is going anywhere ,his presence in the room is incalculable .Have to manage with one eve on the present the other on the future ..

No. I'm not saying 1 for 1 but I remember J.j.reporting that Cooper wanted scmaltz if the deal could be made. If'n I'm remember'n crecktly.
- hocktock

Send them Crow and Scmaltz for Bishop and Drouin .Let Bishop walk at the end of the year and sign Darling and Drouin to a couple of bridge deals at 3.5 and 3 respectfully

John,
little late to the party but great read and conversation as always...

agree on Keith and Toews - obviously something is off and one can debate whether Vanek is the answer, but adding one forward isn't going to be enough...the Hawks showed just how far away they are over the weekend. While the power balance has shifted back to the East - the Hawks still would have to get through a tough couple of rounds - possibly St. Louis and then Minni - Who looks like the real deal.
And a conference finals just to get to the Caps/Jackets/Pitt...can anyone honestly see that happening right now?

Bowman's great import of forwards from Montreal should have waited a year when he knew he needed a defenseman and his answer was Rundblad. You can debate the spring moves but that coupled with the offseason moves of the previous two summers - Leddy/Sharp and you can see where we're headed.

Could the Hawks still get a couple of Panarin's buds to come this spring - who knows...

I doubt the Hawks stand pat though because McD will be wanting something splashy...onto Colorado where the Hawks always struggle...

Iggy > Vanek?
- Assman22

Sharp

Of the UFA/RFA crowd, the only forward I like is Martin Hanzal. Dude can play C and LW and is a beast. Vanek ...I think the expiration date has long since passed. Anyone else is too expensive or not an upgrade to what they have now.

My money is on Russian imports to address the top six issue. Maybe Tkachyov...but his contract does not expire in the KHL until 4/30/17. Shipachyov likely a re-sign by SKA - they are already talking extension to stay in KHL.

TVR won't be traded as he is one of the few players that can be left eligible for the expansion draft - something the Hawks are struggling with right now.
- Return of the Roar

Hanzal or Zack Smith fit that bill - outlined in your first paragraph. Big guys who can take draws and play C/W. God-willing won't cost say, Hartman, Forsling, Kempny...

Any time he would need leverage while skating something like that would have an effect on him. But more so laterally than in a straight line. Faceoffs are head to head, plus anticipation with good quick hands can make up for a lot of brute strength.
When turning on ice there is a cross over with the inner edge followed by a cross under with the outer edge. It's the push with the cross under that I simply don't have anymore. It feels like there is no strength. And it seems to me that something is affecting JT's strength. If JJ was right and necrosis is the issue that's a bad thing. Rest won't help.
- 6628

Thanks for your insight, Numbers - I'm old enough to have back problems, but fortunately, really don't.