Regarding Palat, Filppula, or even Boyle - TB won a big game last night and sits only 2 points out of the wild card - with 20+ games to go. Maybe Yzerman makes the determination that even if his team sneaks into a wild card spot they don't have the team to advance to the Cup - but that would be akin to the infamous white flag sale the SOX did 10 or 15 years ago and a real fan turnoff. So my bet would be that Yzerman decides to not be sellers this season.

Kruger stinks & Bowman screwed up again & way overpaid him. Get him out for a more skilled Center to play with Hossa. Kero is better & cheaper than Kruger.

Make up for your MISTAKE Bowman.
- Goalie-33

Which mistake are you referring to again? Stan's made so many mistakes it's hard to keep track.

Three "left field" trade possibilities (have not heard any of their names recently, but Hawks have had fairly strong interest in two of them in the past):

Jeff Skinner CAR
Mike Cammaleri NJ
Val Filippula TB

I just know at this time of year we can get so zeroed in on certain guys and then the team will go out and acquire someone else out of nowhere who checks the same boxes.

I would still bet on Vanek, Eaves or Hanzal. But . . .
- John Jaeckel

If we end up with Eaves that unkempt awful beard has to go.

Have a Snickers Bar and relax brother....
- BGKarras

If we end up with Eaves that unkempt awful beard has to go.
- 67hawks

You respect that beard.

Maybe a trade to bolster that 3rd line is they key. Give Hoss some help on the opposite wing to create 3 scoring lines. Fantastic to see 19 and 2 getting healthy at the right time.

The Hawks opponents now have to choose whether to put there shut down line and defensive pairing against the Toews line or the PAK line. If they choose one the other has to make them pay. Our 3rd line of Moose - Kruger - Hossa can match up with the other team's top line and focus on shutting them down. That takes the defensive pressure off the Toews line and the PAK line. Finally the opposition has to figure out what to do against the Hawk's 4th line of Hartman - Kero - Hino. That is no easy task.

I believe in Kero. I would try to make a package with Kruger and whatever the other team would take like McNeil, 2nd round pick, Tootoo, or Desjardins to get a center (Hanzal or Boyle) or a LW (Tatar, Vanek). If you get a LW you could leave the top two lines alone and have a 3rd line of Tatar/Vanek - Moose/Hartman - Hossa.

If you are able to make a move like that you have not added any salary and can still have room to add a depth defenseman for $2 mil.

Kruger stinks & Bowman screwed up again & way overpaid him. Get him out for a more skilled Center to play with Hossa. Kero is better & cheaper than Kruger.

Make up for your MISTAKE Bowman.
- Goalie-33

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.

You bring up a very good point JJ.
It's what you have to throw in to sweeten the pot that causes some concern.
Filippula is intriguing though. Now if it was for Palat and Kruger had to be in the deal I would do it In a heart beat.
Palat:
- BGKarras

Can't seem them moving Palat...think he had two goals last night...

but Filippula hmm...

The question I have does Kruger hurt or help the return if he is traded this year. I think right now I'm not sure it helps what the other team would ask for. It would help the cap hit work but someone like hanzel or Tatar the same could be accomplished by then retaining.

Krugers contract is $2M this season, $2 mil signing bonus on July 1st and $1.475 2017/18 and 2.3 18/19. he has a NTC trade clause once july 1st comes around but he can only exclude 7 teams (per cap friendly). So for me I would rather keep him this year. Move him after his production and salary are in line after july 1st.

Schmaltz T, Panik
PAK
Hartman, hanzel, Hossa
Moose, kruger, kero, Hino, Des

OR
STP
PAK
Tatar, Kero-Moose-Kruger, hossa
Hartman, Kero-moose-Kruger, Hino/des

or maybe Gionta can slat at 3rd or 4th line RW to give some EXP. Don't know allot about his game.

There are not allot of sure sellers but please tell me who are the rental buyers? CAps? PITT? Rangers? hawks (yes) MINN? So many teams are on the bubble of the playoffs they are not going to buy rentals and give up anything of value to either maybe miss the playoffs or get bounced in the 1st round. a 3rd got a adequate D man 50% retained. We paid 2 2nds a few years ago. For sure that market seems to have moved down one value. IE 2-3 years ago he would have gotten a 2nd. TIMO etc and people used to get 1st for 2nd pairing EXP contract D.

Filpillua is interesting and i was thinking about him as a target recently. Versatile top nine guy who has Cup experience. Question is whether or not TB will sell.

- DarthKane

You bring up a very good point JJ.
It's what you have to throw in to sweeten the pot that causes some concern.
Filippula is intriguing though. Now if it was for Palat and Kruger had to be in the deal I would do it In a heart beat.
Palat:
- BGKarras

Palat

I still think if you can get him or Hanzal, the team is at the cusp. Again... don't trade away a Hartman, Schmaltz, Fortin, Kempny but be mindful that there are a lot of rookies in the lineup for the playoffs

So JJ, maybe the 1LW you've been advocating for Toews' line all year is already there, in the form of Schmaltz, who just needed experience and confidence to show his obvious skills. And maybe Panik is the RW that line needs for offensive production, not Hoss, great as he is, who can be effective with anyone, even Kruger, your over-priced favorite. Panic, in my mind, is everything we wanted Bicks to be, and then some, given his snarl.
- BMWChiFan

Ehhh, could be. But honestly, I was more of the mind that a big time left winger was what Toews needed to elevate his game. Toews elevated his game mostly by himself—got healthy. Take him out of that equation, those other guys regress somewhat.

I DO think he and Panik especially have some nice chemistry. And def Schmaltz has stepped up since coming back from the Rock.

Don't get me wrong, I think there's some truth to what you say as far as Schmaltz stepping up. Not sure if his long-term potential is even as a left wing. But he's definitely doing the job right now.

Regarding Palat, Filppula, or even Boyle - TB won a big game last night and sits only 2 points out of the wild card - with 20+ games to go. Maybe Yzerman makes the determination that even if his team sneaks into a wild card spot they don't have the team to advance to the Cup - but that would be akin to the infamous white flag sale the SOX did 10 or 15 years ago and a real fan turnoff. So my bet would be that Yzerman decides to not be sellers this season.
- EbonyRaptor

if they get in and are healthy and playing well. were would put then in the East? behind CAPS and PITT yes. But are they really behind, MON,RANGERs, OTT, COL? I'm not sure. Yserman is one of the best GM's in the game. Look at the Kuckerov and Stamkos deals? Look at how he handled the Drouin? He is not going to panic and trade away a RFA. I think he is smart enough to know that if this team hits its stride and gets healthy they will be a super tough out. Can trade a RFA in June.

Would Skinner be the new LW? Good player, injured a lot unfortunately. And he has two years left at $5M?? Val Fillpula is a damn good centerman, but I think they want to shed some salary.

JJ's last suggestion is the best. Keep our top kids, trade from lower levels, move Kruger if you must, get Hossa some offensive help on L3 and we're set. Keep Hart, Schmaltz, Vinnie, Fortin and DeBrincat. Slide them into the team as needed.

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

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.

Maybe a trade to bolster that 3rd line is they key. Give Hoss some help on the opposite wing to create 3 scoring lines. Fantastic to see 19 and 2 getting healthy at the right time.
- z1990z

Acquiring a 3C who can also play on the PK makes a boat load of sense. It would improve the team's depth and take some pressure off Toews and Hossa on the PK. I still stand by my idea of getting Boyle from Tampa, he'd be a perfect fit for that role. Plus he has significant playoff experience.

Ehhh, could be. But honestly, I was more of the mind that a big time left winger was what Toews needed to elevate his game. Toews elevated his game mostly by himself—got healthy. Take him out of that equation, those other guys regress somewhat.

I DO think he and Panik especially have some nice chemistry. And def Schmaltz has stepped up since coming back from the Rock.

Don't get me wrong, I think there's some truth to what you say as far as Schmaltz stepping up. Not sure if his long-term potential is even as a left wing. But he's definitely doing the job right now.
- John Jaeckel

Not saying anyone here is wrong, as I think the first line is doing great, but.. the playoffs are another monster. I'm hoping that Schmaltz and his line mates can keep up their offensive play.

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

Kruger is a specialist. Does a lot of small things well, but he is overpaid...marginally or not the Hawks can't really afford such luxuries.

JJ's last suggestion is the best. Keep our top kids, trade from lower levels, move Kruger if you must, get Hossa some offensive help on L3 and we're set. Keep Hart, Schmaltz, Vinnie, Fortin and DeBrincat. Slide them into the team as needed.
- kwolf68

The way the Hawks are playing right now, which to me ladders back a great deal to #19, and the kids (Hartman, Panik, Schmaltz—and bear in mind, as I said this summer, Panik and Hartman had PRO EXPERIENCE) being able to step up with his resurgence, I think shifts the trade scenarios and takes a lot of pressure off Stanley.

Not saying anyone here is wrong, as I think the first line is doing great, but.. the playoffs are another monster. I'm hoping that Schmaltz and his line mates can keep up their offensive play.
- 93Joe

Great point, Joe. Don't kid yourself. Schmaltz is going to be TARGETED in the playoffs.
Let's not put him in the HOF just yet.

Acquiring a 3C who can also play on the PK makes a boat load of sense. It would improve the team's depth and take some pressure off Toews and Hossa on the PK. I still stand by my idea of getting Boyle from Tampa, he'd be a perfect fit for that role. Plus he has significant playoff experience.
- DarthKane

Didn't Latta have experience on the PK and decent at faceoffs?

Schmaltz T, Panik
PAK
Hartman, hanzel, Hossa
Moose, kruger, kero, Hino, Des


- kmw4631

Hanzel is a pretty good faceoff guy and would help the PK. He would also look very good between Hartman and Hossa to give the Hawks that bum slayer type of 3rd line that can stifle the opposing line while scoring the depth goals that put a team over the top.