Adrian Dater: Hearing that trade talks between the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche have basically stopped. The Bruins won’t go to the high asking price the Avs want.

On the Colorado Avalanche …

Brian Wilde: “Negotiations with Avs going poorly. They want too much. Sakic needs to remember his team is terrible so not in a position of strength.”
- walleyeb1

Is it February 28? I thought it was the 21st. So, wait and see. Typically big TDL deals are done in the last two days.

Also could be Sakic will hold on to Duchene. He's a very good player.

Totally agree. It could be a great, good, so so, or bad trade to acquire Duchene, Palat, Hanzal, Landeskog, Tatar, Vanek or anyone else. It depends on what you give up and it depends on how this effects your ability to make additional moves at the TDL, the expansion draft, or during the summer.
- -Doh-

Sanity. Exactly. There are so many contextual factors now and going forward that to evaluate the feasibility or quality of a trade in isolation is pretty much a fool's errand.

This much I have been told:

1) Bowman is "swinging" deeper right now than the public spin would lead you to believe.
2) There is at least one big change coming this summer that would impact the salary cap situation.

Assuming that's true or possible, then a lot is possible.

Also, if Bowman goes out and gets Vanek, he obviously has a good reason for it. He isn't going to make a trade simply for making a trade, he's going to make one if it benefits the team. I'd be a lot less pessimistic about Vanek, the hawks are obviously looking into him because people paid to evaluate players in their organization believe he can help.
- cnfan261311

Runblad for a 2nd after he had been scratched on a bad team for 6 weeks straight.
Timo for 2 seconds when he is 40 and had not played in a year
Weiss and Flesch for a 2nd and danult.

I'm not sure I agree. Also his best trade in the last year was panik for Morin and my understanding it was more Paniks agent and Hossa then Bowman out smarting Leafs.

Not sure what it would take, but I am coming around to the idea of Patrick Eaves. He's cheap, he's having a career year, he can play up and down the lineup. Not sure what Nill wants, but maybe one of their 5th rounders and a throw in like Sveddy or McNeill?

I can't imagine Nill would get too much for him. But, I'm not a GM, could be wrong.

Not sure what it would take, but I am coming around to the idea of Patrick Eaves. He's cheap, he's having a career year, he can play up and down the lineup. Not sure what Nill wants, but maybe one of their 5th rounders and a throw in like Sveddy or McNeill?

I can't imagine Nill would get too much for him. But, I'm not a GM, could be wrong.
- CanOCorn

Does Eaves play on the PK? How is he rated defensively along with the solid offense he is playing this year?

Does Eaves play on the PK? How is he rated defensively along with the solid offense he is playing this year?
- Beaks99

eaves plays in all situations, but has been hurt most of the year - he doesn't practice at all, just guts it out for games. that being said, he's having a great year.

Duchene is listed as C and RW. Does he play much on the left wing?

Hey JJ,

Just throwing this out there...

With Ron Hainsey being an UFA at the end of this season, do you think he could be a target for the Hawks to bolster the blue line for the playoffs?

Maybe the Canes would be willing to deal him for a good price, rather than resign or let him walk?

PALAT......

Duchene is listed as C and RW. Does he play much on the left wing?
- kinigitt

In the World Cup he only played the wing - competition at C was too tough.

PALAT......
- BGKarras

Seeing what Scotty did for Steveie Y's career, he should just hand him over, right?

PALAT......
- BGKarras

Palat-Toews-Hossa

In the World Cup he only played the wing - competition at C was too tough.
- RickJ

Ah ok, thanks.

Seeing what Scotty did for Steveie Y's career, he should just hand him over, right?
- powerenforcer

Yzerman should also retain 50% of Palat's cap hit.

Palat-Toews-Hossa
- 93Joe

That would be a sweet line. If Stan could find a reasonable way to keep Palat long term I would be willing to part with some decent assets to get him.

Hartman has 14 goals playing mostly 3rd line minutes as a Rookie. Meanwhile, $6million dollar man Duchene has 16 goals. Hartman plays physical, goes to the net, drops the gloves, is cost-controlled, and is a Chicago kid. Hartman going to Colorado for Duchene doesn't make much sense to me!!

Sanity. Exactly. There are so many contextual factors now and going forward that to evaluate the feasibility or quality of a trade in isolation is pretty much a fool's errand.

This much I have been told:

1) Bowman is "swinging" deeper right now than the public spin would lead you to believe.
2) There is at least one big change coming this summer that would impact the salary cap situation.

Assuming that's true or possible, then a lot is possible.
- John Jaeckel

i.e. Darling becoming the starter and Corey getting traded

Hartman has 14 goals playing mostly 3rd line minutes as a Rookie. Meanwhile, $6million dollar man Duchene has 16 goals. Hartman plays physical, goes to the net, drops the gloves, is cost-controlled, and is a Chicago kid. Hartman going to Colorado for Duchene doesn't make much sense to me!!
- EnzoD

Totally agree.

When Shaw was traded, I thought that was it. Hawks lost one of the few dudes willing to be gritty. But Hartman has really stepped up, and in my opinion, has far more value than Shaw right now. The guy is skilled, can score, sticks up for teammates and comes with a cheap price tag.

Shaw has had a strange season in MTL between concussions and disciple issues.

Yzerman should also retain 50% of Palat's cap hit.
- DarthKane

Go for the blockbuster right now - Palat/Boyle/Bishop for Kruger/CC/2018 1st and conditional 3rd rounder if Palat re-signs. Boom! Go big or go home

BTW so Minn off week starts after tonight and they play 23 games in 41 days. starting tonight we play 23 over 47 days. Minn could get a little burned out. they have 5 back to backs and only once do they have more then 1 day between games

Hartman has 14 goals playing mostly 3rd line minutes as a Rookie. Meanwhile, $6million dollar man Duchene has 16 goals. Hartman plays physical, goes to the net, drops the gloves, is cost-controlled, and is a Chicago kid. Hartman going to Colorado for Duchene doesn't make much sense to me!!
- EnzoD

I'm not disagreeing here. I do think #38 is a player that should remain a Blackhawk. However... Just to play devils advocate here... Duchene DOES have top end skill. He can play any forward position and has played in all situations. And yes,
Duchene >> Hartman.

Hartman has 14 goals playing mostly 3rd line minutes as a Rookie. Meanwhile, $6million dollar man Duchene has 16 goals. Hartman plays physical, goes to the net, drops the gloves, is cost-controlled, and is a Chicago kid. Hartman going to Colorado for Duchene doesn't make much sense to me!!
- EnzoD

That's also without any PP time.

On the flip side could Duchene produce more than Hartman in Chicago? Quite possible, yes. For me it's about more than just Hartman vs Duchene. It's about how the entire team would need to change in order to accommodate Duchene's contract. I'm not suggesting it would be bad, but getting Duchene at all costs "just because" would be silly and I wouldn't expect Stan to do that.

I'm not disagreeing here. I do think #38 is a player that should remain a Blackhawk. However... Just to play devils advocate here... Duchene DOES have top end skill. He can play any forward position and has played in all situations. And yes,
Duchene >> Hartman.
- 93Joe

When you consider Cap hits though, how much better and also considering what else the Hawks would have to include?

Let's hope Stan swings for the fences and gets an elite talent like Alex Burrows.

Another option from Vancouver would be Jannik Hansen. His cap hit is only $2.5 million and I'm sure the Canucks could retain some salary, for a price.
- DarthKane

When you consider Cap hits though, how much better and also considering what else the Hawks would have to include?
- HawkintheD

Toews, no brainer