So Brian Boyle is a wing addition, a centre addition, your face off and PK guy and you emergency in game replacement defender.

He leaves TB for a four months to only return with a hometown deal that fits with staying in the group for another run.

The only question is will thy take one of our Rockford defenders OTHER than Forsling and or a pick?
- wiz1901

From a TB perspective (assuming they've given up the season) they might as well get an asset for Boyle even if he plans to return. But it also depends on their relationship with Boyle, I'm sure they'll talk to him first and if they won't deal him if he doesn't want to go and their plan is to bring him back.

As far as the cost for Boyle, the market will dictate what he goes for if he's dealt. I think a couple of mid-round picks would be fair, maybe substitute a mid level prospect for one of those picks. If Stevie Y can do better then good for him, I hope it's just not done with Chicago.

Interesting tool I found:

http://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm

Btw....listening to Sirius XM hockey.....Dale Weise has ONE assist in his last 30 games for Philly. Yikes.
- ILGolfer

Surprised?

From Stan's NHL five questions interview:

You have made comments to other news outlets about the deadline and said you don't think you'll weigh too deep into the market, especially for rentals. Is your position on that the same? If so why won't you do that when you have done it in the past and it has worked?

"My position really hasn't changed. Our team has done what I saw coming with our group. I saw us starting to play more of a team game and the younger players were starting to become just regular players. There is always that thing where everybody talks about the rookies, but they've played 50-60 games, so they're rookies technically by the rulebook but I don't look at them that way anymore. What I was trying to explain to people was these guys are just part of our team now. They're not trying to stay in the NHL or worried about getting sent down, they're just like anybody else now and they're getting better as the year goes on. Younger players have a lot of growth potential and they're better in March than they are in November whereas your veteran guys aren't going to be improving their game as you go along, they're just going to be maintaining it. They're already at a high level so how are you going to get better over the course of the year if you don't add players and just use the same group, and the answer is if you have young players, they're going to get better as the year goes on. If you have a bunch of veterans they're not really going to get better as the year goes on. So for that reason I am really not focused on a rental. I haven't had any discussions to that. If we add a player it might be more of a depth-type move but I really don't see us making a big splash and adding one of these names that you're reading about in the papers. It's just not in our plans right now. You have to have room for improvement from within. It's really hard to improve your team if you're going to go out and look to acquire players or sign free agents. It's just difficult to do that. I don't want to trade these young players."

Agreed, and his mobility and quickness are a double edged sword—a lot like Oduya in 2012. He needs to learn how to use it and when. But Kempny does things athletically that Gustav Forsling can really only dream about (at this point anyway).
- John Jaeckel

Was really excited to see McDavid live the other night at the UC mostly to see his speed. Well Go Johnny Go won all the faceoffs so the kid rarely had the puck but I did leave thinking that Kempny really gobbles up a lot of ice with each one of those powerful strides of his.

You can also see his feet get happy at or nearing the attack blueline. He wants to get involved.

Also. It is worth noting.

(and I will note we shouldn't think TOOOOO hard about future years when we have a Cup shot THIS year.....still, worth noting...)

With the cap crunch, and Pararin's new contract starting next year. The bargains of having Hartman all next year at less than 1 million, and Schmaltz the next TWO years at less than 1 million, coupled with their steady improvement and the recent proof that they can stick with the big club....makes it more and more important that Stan watches what he does with these guys.

Having them to plug into our roster (and our pay structure) next year is VERY important, and needs to be considered. Unless the addition is MEGA good. I want them on next years roster!!! (With the chance of a cheap Debrincat as well, may make the shipping out of some of our core much easier to navigate.)
- hawk35

Yep...... And unless I missed something the Hawks will lose one of the core next year to pay Panarin making productive young players being paid peanuts all the more valuable.

Clearly, you never saw Kruger absolutely stifle opposing playoff team's top lines in the '13 and '15 cup runs. Oh, and nevermind his '13 cup-winning goal contribution.
- blackhawk24

Clearly you have ZERO clue. Stick to Cheerleading & wearing your jersey.

These are all good points. Rentals for draft picks and an ahler is probably the Hawks path.


Younger players could be moved maybe for a controllable player in return.


Rental for picks and an ahler . Eaves ? We'll see

I think we'd all like to see Kruger score more, and as such, maybe he is MARGINALLY overpaid.

His ability defensively—against top players of good teams—and what he's shown in the playoffs makes those who relentlessly slag him just look like they don't understand the overall game very well.
- John Jaeckel

Played at higher level than 98% of your board. BTW Kruger is way overpaid & again right now Kero is better.

When you win 5 AAA Championships let me know then we can talk.

I too have slowly been coming around to the opinion that maybe there is a better "get" for the Hawks than a LW for Toews. Maybe. It's still a little scary because rookies are usually inconsistent and there are walls to hit, etc., so anointing Schmaltz the answer to the missing top-6 LW question is not without some hesitation, albeit diminishing hesitation.

Plus, if there is only one major deal to be made, which is most likely the case, perhaps the most pressing need is a centerman who can win draws in the d-zone on the PK. We can make excuses for some fluky goals scored against the PK lately but the reality is the goals were scored and the PK remains a glaring weak point of the team. Too many times the draw is lost and the other team has extended time in the d-zone because of the lost draw. Kruger was that guy until he hasn't been lately for whatever reason so maybe a Hanzel or Boyle is the way to go.
- EbonyRaptor

No matter how well Schmaltz continues to improve he's a question mark come playoff time. And don't forget last night's incredible effort had 3 rookies on the 4th line!!

No way you can't be excited by what the whole team showed last night but that lineup last night has playoff question marks. Doesn't mean they can't go deep and even win it that way, but it's a question mark with the rookies.

That's what the hockey guys get paid to prognosticate. Is it enough and if not where to add and for what? ......

Wrong again.

Answer is because he's bad at them.

Tough day for you.
- Goalie-33

Easy there... 16 has been average at the dot, but is clearly dealing with a wrist injury.

From Stan's NHL five questions interview:

You have made comments to other news outlets about the deadline and said you don't think you'll weigh too deep into the market, especially for rentals. Is your position on that the same? If so why won't you do that when you have done it in the past and it has worked?

"My position really hasn't changed. Our team has done what I saw coming with our group. I saw us starting to play more of a team game and the younger players were starting to become just regular players. There is always that thing where everybody talks about the rookies, but they've played 50-60 games, so they're rookies technically by the rulebook but I don't look at them that way anymore. What I was trying to explain to people was these guys are just part of our team now. They're not trying to stay in the NHL or worried about getting sent down, they're just like anybody else now and they're getting better as the year goes on. Younger players have a lot of growth potential and they're better in March than they are in November whereas your veteran guys aren't going to be improving their game as you go along, they're just going to be maintaining it. They're already at a high level so how are you going to get better over the course of the year if you don't add players and just use the same group, and the answer is if you have young players, they're going to get better as the year goes on. If you have a bunch of veterans they're not really going to get better as the year goes on. So for that reason I am really not focused on a rental. I haven't had any discussions to that. If we add a player it might be more of a depth-type move but I really don't see us making a big splash and adding one of these names that you're reading about in the papers. It's just not in our plans right now. You have to have room for improvement from within. It's really hard to improve your team if you're going to go out and look to acquire players or sign free agents. It's just difficult to do that. I don't want to trade these young players."
- walleyeb1

Question was about rentals. My bet is he would trade young guys for someone he could sign long term. It also serves as convenient cover if no deals can be made. To think he has had no discussions about longer term players....pure BS. Of course they have.

Played at higher level than 98% of your board. BTW Kruger is way overpaid & again right now Kero is better.

When you win 5 AAA Championships let me know then we can talk.
- Goalie-33

Kruger was owed that deal after he took a one year contract at a steep discount. Average that one year and the current three year deal, and that is the real salary everyone had in mind. It isn't that ridiculous.

Scotty Bowman knows a thing or two about what type of role payers are required to win Cups (multiple) He relied on a number of under the radar defensive specialists on those legendary Habs Cup runs--- Kruger fits that profile (along with Hossa)

As does Fillipula-- who I think might have been a Scotty drafted player with the Red Wings--
- jb3333

Right on about Scotty Bowman knowing what a final piece looks like. And if Filppula could be had he's the guy.

Can play multiple positions, solid on the draw, PP and PK, can slot anywhere from the 1st to 3rd line, has tons of playoff experience, good size, would be a Q favorite from Day 1. Not a sexy name but this guy might put em over the top.

But he signed through next year at 5 mil.

I don't think the Stars or the Jets have anything close to what the Hawks have on the blueline. And that's the key when it comes to putting a certain amount of responsibility on a new starting goalie's shoulders. You've GOT to have the D-core to back him up and help take on some of that responsibility. That's why i think this Hawks team is in perfect position to make the transition without it impacting the GA.
- SimpleJack

Disagree
Its a risk reward not worth the upside of the 3 mil reward. Downside is not great.
Let's talk again at the Draft.

Question was about rentals. My bet is he would trade young guys for someone he could sign long term. It also serves as convenient cover if no deals can be made. To think he has had no discussions about longer term players....pure BS. Of course they have.
- Return of the Roar

I agree, his answer regarding having no discussions was related to rentals, not a player that has some term left or perhaps an RFA that could be signed or shopped.

Right on about Scotty Bowman knowing what a final piece looks like. And if Filppula could be had he's the guy.

Can play multiple positions, solid on the draw, PP and PK, can slot anywhere from the 1st to 3rd line, has tons of playoff experience, good size, would be a Q favorite from Day 1. Not a sexy name but this guy might put em over the top.

But he signed through next year at 5 mil.
- Mr Ricochet

Anybody know why Detroit let him walk?

Clearly you have ZERO clue. Stick to Cheerleading & wearing your jersey.
- Goalie-33

Really if you don't understand what Kruger brings you should find a new sport ..

Wrong again.

Answer is because he's bad at them.

Tough day for you.
- Goalie-33

Dude seriously stop drinking....
You are not willing to engage in a decent conversation all you want to do is argue.
Why bother coming here?.... then go find something constructive to do. We all come here to enjoy some back and forth about hockey and our Hawks. JJ has always provided good info about trades and the thought process of the upper management.
You sound mad bro go get therapy

Dude seriously stop drinking....
You are not willing to engage in a decent conversation all you want to do is argue.
Why bother coming here?.... then go find something constructive to do. We all come here to enjoy some back and forth about hockey and our Hawks. JJ has always provided good info about trades and the thought process of the upper management.
You sound mad bro go get therapy
- BGKarras

Don't feed the trolls.

Right on about Scotty Bowman knowing what a final piece looks like. And if Filppula could be had he's the guy.

Can play multiple positions, solid on the draw, PP and PK, can slot anywhere from the 1st to 3rd line, has tons of playoff experience, good size, would be a Q favorite from Day 1. Not a sexy name but this guy might put em over the top.

But he signed through next year at 5 mil.
- Mr Ricochet

Useful player but that's a situation where Yzerman would have to take back half the salary and I doubt he would be interested in doing it even though he has a bunch of guys to sign next year. And Tampa isn't all done yet, 15 of their last 23 are at home.

Right on about Scotty Bowman knowing what a final piece looks like. And if Filppula could be had he's the guy.

Can play multiple positions, solid on the draw, PP and PK, can slot anywhere from the 1st to 3rd line, has tons of playoff experience, good size, would be a Q favorite from Day 1. Not a sexy name but this guy might put em over the top.

But he signed through next year at 5 mil.
- Mr Ricochet

Hey Mr. R...completely agree on Filppula. Would really look nice with Hossa on that third line. Yes the cap hit is still 5m next season, but if you're in win now mode this guy checks a lot of boxes. Don't know what the price would be. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

JJ suggested his name this morning along with a couple others - don't know if the Hawks have asked about him yet.

Don't feed the trolls.
- mrpaulish

We need the Troll flow chart!

Don't feed the trolls.
- mrpaulish

Makes me wonder, what exactly do you have to say to get the ban hammer?

And where's the lad with the Hogs logo who used to be around to police the place?

I still think Q misused him. Oh well (frank) the Flyers and their wasted money.

He seems like a mental case.

Less than a calander week to go. Cant (frank)in wait to see the line up on 3/1 . Even if they make no deals. Let go lets roll !! Cant wait for the playoffs
- mrpaulish

The only time Q misused him is when he put him in the line-up.

Weise's problem is he fails to realize he at best a bottom 6 player who can score an occasional goal. He is meh defensively. Invisible physically these days. The big problem is he thinks he is a top 6 sniper.