The issue with acquiring Palat is not only the assets he would cost now. But also the assets he would cost in the summer. He is currently making 3.3M and a RFA after this season. He is going command more in a new deal. Not saying he is not a nice player but he is currently producing at the same levels as Panik and Hartman this season. Who btw cost about half of what he does and fill two roster spots. Hartman is signed for next season and Panik is a RFA who most likely will get a raise but both players will again cost less.
- TTtime

Good point--- well taken-- wonder what Panik will command on next deal?

Looking forward to seeing how this will all play out--- and seeing an educated evaluation from people here who know stats / contracts with the various comparisons-- I'm not a big stats / charts guy-- I value the info--- and realize its importance --- but I go by what I see on the ice-- on the scoreboard and standings-- and who wins Cups--

The issue with acquiring Palat is not only the assets he would cost now. But also the assets he would cost in the summer. He is currently making 3.3M and a RFA after this season. He is going command more in a new deal. Not saying he is not a nice player but he is currently producing at the same levels as Panik and Hartman this season. Who btw cost about half of what he does and fill two roster spots. Hartman is signed for next season and Panik is a RFA who most likely will get a raise but both players will again cost less.
- TTtime

I remember all of that, save your drive from GR to TOR of course, and also hearing later about how the possibliity of Bobby being a staple at the UC watching Brett play was kind of a non-starter.

I also remember the team crying poor saying that they could sign only one of the two in terms of Gilmour and Hulll but not both.

After Gilmour signed his deal, which I believe was the richest in franchise history at the time, Rosenbloom wrote a column poking holes in the position by management that they couldn't afford to sign both players.

Rosenbloom said in his column that Bill Wirtz (I may get the numbers backward but it all adds up the same) reportedly owned 13 million shares of Bank One or First Chicago stock (which ever it was back in the late 90's) and the previous day on the market it had gone up $3. So in one day, on paper anyway, the Wirtz's were $39M richer and could have afforded both players. I'm sure they could have anyway but that just further illustrated the trainwreck that was Hawks management back then.
- HawkintheD

Didn't the Hawks around the same time frame sign Tkachuk to a contract only to have Winnipeg match the offer???

See the Nyquist high stick ?

FWIW, I don't think even deBrincat is getting Athanasiou.
- John Jaeckel

It would be Debrincat + for sure.

Question for you all,will the Hawks be better overall if we get Palat?Are we going further in the playoffs with him?I wouldn't give any assets for him.Duchene I would.

Question for you all,will the Hawks be better overall if we get Palat?Are we going further in the playoffs with him?I wouldn't give any assets for him.Duchene I would.
- Tatoo

Duchesne is the better player however, there is no guarantee the Hawks will go further in the playoffs with either or both. Put it this way, they are a better team with either in their top six since it makes the team deeper.

I remember all of that, save your drive from GR to TOR of course, and also hearing later about how the possibliity of Bobby being a staple at the UC watching Brett play was kind of a non-starter.

I also remember the team crying poor saying that they could sign only one of the two in terms of Gilmour and Hulll but not both.

After Gilmour signed his deal, which I believe was the richest in franchise history at the time, Rosenbloom wrote a column poking holes in the position by management that they couldn't afford to sign both players.

Rosenbloom said in his column that Bill Wirtz (I may get the numbers backward but it all adds up the same) reportedly owned 13 million shares of Bank One or First Chicago stock (which ever it was back in the late 90's) and the previous day on the market it had gone up $3. So in one day, on paper anyway, the Wirtz's were $39M richer and could have afforded both players. I'm sure they could have anyway but that just further illustrated the trainwreck that was Hawks management back then.
- HawkintheD

All I remember about Bill is the older he got, the bigger his ego became, glad Rocky is in charge now especially since he puts the fans first and honors us with putting and paying the best team on the ice the team can, year in and year out

Good point--- well taken-- wonder what Panik will command on next deal?

Looking forward to seeing how this will all play out--- and seeing an educated evaluation from people here who know stats / contracts with the various comparisons-- I'm not a big stats / charts guy-- I value the info--- and realize its importance --- but I go by what I see on the ice-- on the scoreboard and standings-- and who wins Cups--
- jb3333

Well, if I am Palat's agent I am looking at the contract of one Andrew Shaw for a good comparison. Palat has produced at a better rate than Shaw.

Heck. Look at Kruger's contract as a starting point. IMHO, he may get a bit less than 4M on a deal with some term. I am basing that on the fact the cap was rumored to be flat for next season.

Another point I overlooked is Palat may not cost as much in assets as I originally tthought. TB may have some cap issues next season and maybe, just maybe, some other team can be fleeced on assets due to cap constraints. Though, I think Palat would have enough suitors to offset that.

Duchesne is the better player however, there is no guarantee the Hawks will go further in the playoffs with either or both. Put it this way, they are a better team with either in their top six since it makes the team deeper.
- golfbard

It MAY make them deeper. There are no guarantees. Really depends on what the cost would be. The Avs are looking for D-men primarily. Plus. Does losing a D-man, another roster player or two make them deeper? Or just really top heavy?

Figure the D-man is most likely Hjalmarsson. Don't think Forsling/Kempny is enough for the Avs to part with Duchene.

It MAY make them deeper. There are no guarantees. Really depends on what the cost would be. The Avs are looking for D-men primarily. Plus. Does losing a D-man, another roster player or two make them deeper? Or just really top heavy?

Figure the D-man is most likely Hjalmarsson. Don't think Forsling/Kempny is enough for the Avs to part with Duchene.
- TTtime

Highly doubt Hjalmarsson is part of a deal for Duchesne. Quite frankly unless the price drops i just dont see Duchesne going to Chicago. I could be wrong but thats just my opinion.

Looking at this realistically, if the Hawks are in it to win it, trading guys like Hartman, Kero, Kruger, Kempny, even Schmaltz, yeah I know everyone is tradeable, but and a big but is running 4 lines and if we trade for say a Duchene we would take two steps forward but one step back since these kids all provide a role for this hockey. As much as I'd like to get a Duchene hard to give up a kid like Hartman especially since he's a cross between Sharp and Shaw these kind of players help more than hurt a team in the playoffs. Tough decision to be made by the front office.

Really dont want to lose Schmatlz or Hartman. Two solid cost controlled players that can play up and down the lineup. If you can add a top 6 LW without including them and Debrincat pull the trigger. Yea it makes it a lot less likely you get one, but I would rather keep them. If you lose one of them then the entire domino effect of adding a top 6 guy which allows one of them in your bottom 6 disappears. I would love Duchene or Palat, but I don't see them in the plans long term (beyond next season). Try to add someone without subtracting from what we have. If not I would rather stay as is.

SOMEONE-Toews-Hartman
PAK
Schmaltz-Kruger-Hossa
Hino-Kero-???

That should be the goal IMO. Try and sign Shapachyov and or Shalunov this offseason too. That would put our depth over the top if they could translate their skills well. We are already losing a core player this offseason. Adding Duchene means another unless their is significant retained salary. I think go for Palat. Forsling, Fortin, Sikura, Hayden are all chips you could offer and picks. I wonder if they could work out a deal to say we will take him for the playoff push and trade his rights back to you after the season? Would be very unconventional and not sure how it could work but it could let them get some assets and then get their guy back anyway. Brings the cost down for us and could be a win win for everyone.

Didn't the Hawks around the same time frame sign Tkachuk to a contract only to have Winnipeg match the offer???
- Matt_Foleys_bro

I'd forgotten about that but I think that's correct.

I think hawks should stand pat
- lovinhawks

I'd be ok with that, especially if Hartman and Schmaltz continue to develop.

I'm still not solid on either Hino, Tootoo or Desjardins on the 4th line. I wonder if anyone in Rockford will get a shot as the season winds down.

Really dont want to lose Schmatlz or Hartman. Two solid cost controlled players that can play up and down the lineup. If you can add a top 6 LW without including them and Debrincat pull the trigger. Yea it makes it a lot less likely you get one, but I would rather keep them. If you lose one of them then the entire domino effect of adding a top 6 guy which allows one of them in your bottom 6 disappears. I would love Duchene or Palat, but I don't see them in the plans long term (beyond next season). Try to add someone without subtracting from what we have. If not I would rather stay as is.

SOMEONE-Toews-Hartman
PAK
Schmaltz-Kruger-Hossa
Hino-Kero-???

That should be the goal IMO. Try and sign Shapachyov and or Shalunov this offseason too. That would put our depth over the top if they could translate their skills well. We are already losing a core player this offseason. Adding Duchene means another unless their is significant retained salary. I think go for Palat. Forsling, Fortin, Sikura, Hayden are all chips you could offer and picks. I wonder if they could work out a deal to say we will take him for the playoff push and trade his rights back to you after the season? Would be very unconventional and not sure how it could work but it could let them get some assets and then get their guy back anyway. Brings the cost down for us and could be a win win for everyone.
- kevndevries

Panik?

We are beginning to see the payoff with Q letting the young guys play through the ups/downs. This will be huge come playoff time. Now the big question will be this.. will the young guys be able to handle the pressure of the playoffs??

Dont want to lose Hartman or Schmaltz for a rental. Id rather see a guy like Sharp/Tatar come back then spend big in terms of assets for a guy we may not be able to keep.

We are beginning to see the payoff with Q letting the young guys play through the ups/downs. This will be huge come playoff time. Now the big question will be this.. will the young guys be able to handle the pressure of the playoffs??
- z1990z

Forsling, no, Hartman yes, Kero yes, Kempny yes,

Schmaltz=I don't think so

Hino, love his energy but he's got to get better at defense

See the Nyquist high stick ?
- mrpaulish

Nasty. He'll be sitting out a few games.

Nasty. He'll be sitting out a few games.
- DarthKane

yup

Thanks for all the rumor updates JJ. I know it must be getting crazy with the speculation out there.

Holding out hope that the Hawks can land Palat, Duchene, Langenskog or Tatar.

The second tier of Hanzel, Nyquist, Boyle and some other are OK, but not huge pieces and if Hawks can't land the first group, I hope they don't overpay for these middle guys. One of their good young prospects and a 2nd rounder is plenty, not more.

For the "Dud" group....Iginla, Vanek, Doan, etc....only if it cost next to nothing. None of the better prospects and no 1st rounders. I wouldn't include Hartman, Forsling, Schmaltz, DeBrincat in a trade for these guys....not even just one of them.

I trust Bowman will be going after the impact guys mentioned in the first group. And I know at the deadline Teams try to get the moon....so I don't blame him for maybe not landing one of the "studs"....My fear, I guess is he misses out on all the main guys and then feels he HAS to grab an Iginla or Vanek.....at the cost of too much....yup....THAT is what scares me....a lot!!!

Nasty. He'll be sitting out a few games.
- DarthKane

Retaliation-- again-- on a Minny player--- lets not pretend-- the Wild play on the edge-- I recall that Keith was slew footed by that genius Coyle--prior to Keiths retaliation-- Looked like Spurgeon cross checked Nyquist from behind into the boards-- which he retaliated for-- BTW Nyquist didnt have the puck--

And remember the '21 slashes' the Wild hacked on Johnny Gaudreau-- resulting in a broken finger and significant missed time --

http://www.sbnation.com/n...ferees-treliving-unicorns

Maybe if the refs called the game more tightly-- especially the vicious cross checks wielded by so many defenseman-- the retaliation wouldn't occur--- I'm NOT saying its justified to hit someone in the head with your stick--

Watched the NHL Network replays after the game yesterday. Vanek hurt his knee and left the game, got rolled up from the side/behind. Went straight to the locker room.

Haven't looked to see what his status is, but he may be off the board.
- scottak

Don't like to see a fella hurt....but....YEAAAAAAAAAAA

As long as he is outta Hawks range.....good news!

>>>Paraphrasing Al C. for the send blog in a row: the Hawks are winning because their best players are playing like their best players—Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith in particular—creating a lot of room for the Richard Paniks and Ryan Hartmans to shine as well.<<<

he has looked and played really well...still snake bit with getting the puck to go in...

some glorious chances but nada...typical toews great chance: rebound shot right into the goalies pads and panik cleans it up for his 2nd goal last night

It MAY make them deeper. There are no guarantees. Really depends on what the cost would be. The Avs are looking for D-men primarily. Plus. Does losing a D-man, another roster player or two make them deeper? Or just really top heavy?

Figure the D-man is most likely Hjalmarsson. Don't think Forsling/Kempny is enough for the Avs to part with Duchene.
- TTtime

Hjalmarsson is not going anywhere. It has not stopped the Hawks from pursing Duchesne with other assets.