Blackhawks In The Thick Of Trade Rumors http://thehockeyguys.net/...he-thick-of-trade-rumors/

Any player, regardless of NHL experience, has struggled in coach Joel Quenneville’s system over the years. Trevor Daley was traded for Sharp while in Dallas in hopes to bolster the Hawks defense with some offense before the beginning of the season last year. He never took to the system registering just six assists in 29 game and was swiftly traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins before he had a chance to have a slice of deep dish pizza. Richards and Vermette were healthy scratches for a period while they acclimated to the system before fitting in. It seems to take a good 20-25 games before someone new, outside of the farm system, adjusts to their play. Is Bowman willing to risk that? Possibly. But Sharp knows the system. He’s won 3 Stanley Cups, and with THIS Blackhawks team.

....?...-Toews-....?....
Panarin Anisimv Kane
Hino-Kero-Hossa
....?...-Kruger-...?....

8 spots filled and 4 question marks. Hartman may be able to take one of the question mark spots with Toews. Rasmussen and Panik are bottom-6 fill-ins. Desjardins and Tootoo are marginal 4th liners. Schmaltz isn't ready for the NHL yet.

Taking Hossa off Toews wing in order to create a good 3rd line leaves two spots open on Toews line. Hartman has shown Shaw-like ability at times but even Shaw wasn't really top-6 material on a consistent basis. So even if Stan finds a way to acquire that elusive top-6 LW to play with Toews there will still be a weak spot in the top-6.

Agreed with all of JJ's comments in the blog. Spot on , and as always, makes you wonder if it is a "major" move (Ladd) or small deal (Oduya, at the time) at the TDL.

I'm not anointing the rooks as being good enough to carry the bottom 6 to a Cup, but I am pleasantly surprised at their progression. Schmaltz had a sequence where he harassed a D man into an O zone TO, made some other disruptions on the back check. Hino always hauls 'A back to get back into the play and recover on defense, and Hartman has been a disruptor at both ends.

It's going to be an interesting spring boys and girls!

If he keeps playing with the pace and aggression that he has shown recently, I would think Schmaltz gets a few game tryout with Toews. Someone on Toews line needs to be able to handle the puck and Panik and Hartman seem to lose the puck quite easily (or not even be able to handle it in the first place). I'm not saying he is the answer by any means, but it looks like his his time in RFD did him well. Less floating and positionally better.

When Kruger comes back I think they put him with Ras and Panik again, and maybe push Schmaltz to a higher line for a bit (absent a trade of course).
- Chunk

I noticed this more than anything last night along with "Kaner" coming to win. Schmaltz has shown more compete than I've seen from him at any level. This guy is as inconsistent as they come in this regard so I'm gonna stay optimistically cautious but a fan has to like what they've seen from Schmaltz since his call up.

I have my doubts how he'd fair in the top 6 in a playoff context vs top defensive opposition but just the same the kid has shown a different side since his recall.

Kruger and his wallet to the 4th line where he belongs? I'll buy a ticket to that possibility cuz I'm a card carrying member of "the Krooooger downt scor no golz" union.

Blackhawks In The Thick Of Trade Rumors http://thehockeyguys.net/...he-thick-of-trade-rumors/

Any player, regardless of NHL experience, has struggled in coach Joel Quenneville’s system over the years. Trevor Daley was traded for Sharp while in Dallas in hopes to bolster the Hawks defense with some offense before the beginning of the season last year. He never took to the system registering just six assists in 29 game and was swiftly traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins before he had a chance to have a slice of deep dish pizza. Richards and Vermette were healthy scratches for a period while they acclimated to the system before fitting in. It seems to take a good 20-25 games before someone new, outside of the farm system, adjusts to their play. Is Bowman willing to risk that? Possibly. But Sharp knows the system. He’s won 3 Stanley Cups, and with THIS Blackhawks team.
- Mr Ricochet

Willing to give them Darling for Sharp? Nill won't take TVR, he needs to solve his goaltending problem.

Willing to give them Darling for Sharp? Nill won't take TVR, he needs to solve his goaltending problem.
- RickJ

Very very very interesting thought, Rick. Saying this is a fit is a massive understatement. Off the top of my head I can't think of a better #2 than Darling who isn't making 4-5-6 mil.

Just to hear Nill say no though I'd add TVR and Johns in the swap.

He plays for Columbus right now unfortunately.

To be fair, Toews has to step up and drive the offense. I don't know if he got injured in the World Cup or what, but he played pretty well in the World Cup... then again, he had a star studded team with him.
- 93Joe

It's obvious that he's got some kind of injury with ongoing issues that don't seem to be clearing up. His skill couldn't have deteriorated to this degre without an injury causing this decline. I'd like to see the team put him on LTIR for the remainder of the regular season to attempt to get his back or brain related issues corrected. Hopefully the rest will help. The cap savings involved there could be helpful in acquiring the forward/defenseman for the playoffs.

Willing to give them Darling for Sharp? Nill won't take TVR, he needs to solve his goaltending problem.
- RickJ

ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!!!!

When Toews was out with injury, the team became a one line team

Toews comes back from injury the team as a whole scores more goals, actually this team becomes a one line team if any of the top 5 players are out.

If it's true that Johnny is playing with an injury I sure hope they let him heal before the playoffs, unless his injury requires surgery, that would suck

Still not sold on Allen or Dubnyk even Rinne not as good as the league says he is, was brilliant just not the same since the hip surgery

I do like the Blues blue line though, it's solid and Tarasenko owns us

So something like this:

Panarin-AA-Kane
Hartman-Toews-XXX(trade acquisition)
Hinostroza-Kero-Hossa
Rasmussen-Kruger-Panik

....so maybe we should be looking for a RW instead of a LW? Or maybe move Hartman to RW?
- SimpleJack

I believe Hartman is a natural RW, however if he can play LW I'm all for bringing back Frolik

Very very very interesting thought, Rick. Saying this is a fit is a massive understatement. Off the top of my head I can't think of a better #2 than Darling who isn't making 4-5-6 mil.

Just to hear Nill say no though I'd add TVR and Johns in the swap.
- Mr Ricochet

Nill won't make Sharp available for cheap because he doesn't have to, more than the Hawks are interested if he's healthy. That snake Marc Bergevin is always looking for talent up front and would offer more than TVR if Sharpie was willing to go to the Habs.

Nill won't make Sharp available for cheap because he doesn't have to, more than the Hawks are interested if he's healthy. That snake Marc Bergevin is always looking for talent up front and would offer more than TVR if Sharpie was willing to go to the Habs.
- RickJ

Problem with Sharp was/is his shot seemed to lose some of its bite the last year he was here. Honestly I'd rather they go in another direction, what that is don't know, I still lean towards someone like Hanzal, Russian accent, big strong player

I actually thought Hino, Hossa, Toews was an effective line

Problem with Sharp was/is his shot seemed to lose some of its bite the last year he was here. Honestly I'd rather they go in another direction, what that is don't know, I still lean towards someone like Hanzal, Russian accent, big strong player
- BetweenTheDots

Hanzal, he's so hot right now

Hanzal, he's so hot right now
- Assman22

Honestly think he would look great centering 1st unit power play 55% at the dot and that's a lot of beef screening the goalie

Nill won't make Sharp available for cheap because he doesn't have to, more than the Hawks are interested if he's healthy. That snake Marc Bergevin is always looking for talent up front and would offer more than TVR if Sharpie was willing to go to the Habs.
- RickJ

Have you been able to catch any Stars games since Sharp has returned from injury? He looks healthy and engaged. He's skating well and his compete is high. 33 shots over his last 10 games.

No doubt at all Nill would love a Darling. If he had to go with a 3 headed monster in goal darling at 900k would fit like a glove this year and probably be a long term solution at around 3 mil per for a few years.

With young Dmen in Honka, Klingenberg, Lindell, Johns and Oleksiak to go along with vets Benn and soon to be UFA Oduya I'm not sure he's looking for young Dmen. What he reeeeeeeally needs is a goalie and his forwards to stay healthy.

Darling fits like a glove 9 ways to Sunday in Dallas.

Problem with Sharp was/is his shot seemed to lose some of its bite the last year he was here. Honestly I'd rather they go in another direction, what that is don't know, I still lean towards someone like Hanzal, Russian accent, big strong player
- BetweenTheDots

2 years ago Sharp was getting the Toews treatment on here. He can't score, grossly overpaid, washed up.

As a window shopper, I like Hanzal too. But the reality is that he is frequently injured and I'm not sure he is committed big time to winning like Sharp is. That's what playing in loserville Arizona does to a player it seems.

Solid read from Lezarus and the perception of Q with young players: http://chicago.suntimes.c...ff-with-young-blackhawks/

2 years ago Sharp was getting the Toews treatment on here. He can't score, grossly overpaid, washed up.

As a window shopper, I like Hanzal too. But the reality is that he is frequently injured and I'm not sure he is committed big time to winning like Sharp is. That's what playing in loserville Arizona does to a player it seems.
- RickJ

True. That, and all the locker room speculation and behind the scenes events is what many were focused on. A "third line player" Supposedly. 2015 playoffs, he definitely proved useful. 15pts in 23 games... not bad. His presence on the PP helped too.

2 years ago Sharp was getting the Toews treatment on here. He can't score, grossly overpaid, washed up.

As a window shopper, I like Hanzal too. But the reality is that he is frequently injured and I'm not sure he is committed big time to winning like Sharp is. That's what playing in loserville Arizona does to a player it seems.
- RickJ

Many thought the same of Handzus, but at the time he was exactly what we needed, and hate to say it but we are built much in the same way.

Problem with Sharp was/is his shot seemed to lose some of its bite the last year he was here. Honestly I'd rather they go in another direction, what that is don't know, I still lean towards someone like Hanzal, Russian accent, big strong player
- BetweenTheDots

And is a centerman with a lifetime 51.5% mark at the dot. When engaged, and suited up, this 6ft 6in 230lb guy is a beast who plays physical.

Would love to see what this guy could do as a 3rd line center vs lower defensive pairings.

And is a centerman with a lifetime 51.5% mark at the dot. When engaged, and suited up, this 6ft 6in 230lb guy is a beast who plays physical.

Would love to see what this guy could do as a 3rd line center vs lower defensive pairings.
- Mr Ricochet

Last 4 years, between 54 & 55%

Have you been able to catch any Stars games since Sharp has returned from injury? He looks healthy and engaged. He's skating well and his compete is high. 33 shots over his last 10 games.

No doubt at all Nill would love a Darling. If he had to go with a 3 headed monster in goal darling at 900k would fit like a glove this year and probably be a long term solution at around 3 mil per for a few years.

With young Dmen in Honka, Klingenberg, Lindell, Johns and Oleksiak to go along with vets Benn and soon to be UFA Oduya I'm not sure he's looking for young Dmen. What he reeeeeeeally needs is a goalie and his forwards to stay healthy.

Darling fits like a glove 9 ways to Sunday in Dallas.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed but I'd make Nill sweat like an overweight pig on the equator to get Darling, but I think our #2 goalie is a way for the Hawks to get that forward they need.

The other guy I love on the Stars is Radek Faksa.

2 years ago Sharp was getting the Toews treatment on here. He can't score, grossly overpaid, washed up.

As a window shopper, I like Hanzal too. But the reality is that he is frequently injured and I'm not sure he is committed big time to winning like Sharp is. That's what playing in loserville Arizona does to a player it seems.
- RickJ

He was onfire the first half of 2013-14 season...he wanted that olympic bid...and he got it. And the for the next 1.5 seasons his play and scoring fell off big time. It was during that time that all the "speculations" about locker room and off ice issues were rampant. And he has never come close to his pre 2014 numbers.

Honestly think he would look great centering 1st unit power play 55% at the dot and that's a lot of beef screening the goalie
- BetweenTheDots

At what price would you be ok with trading for Hanzal?