Does Hanzal have any wheels? Can he keep up with what the 'Hawks need him to do as a centerman? I know he does good work at the dot and sets up shop behind the net and deals, but can he defend?
- Kentxo

Not fast, not a top six guy. His role is best put centering line three or four, winning D zone faceoffs, and being a load on the boards.

Interesting. Those guys are a really good shutdown pair. Kind of surprised Peters made that move.
- TTtime

Alternative would be a Hanifin - Faulk pair... I think they think Pesce is better suited to letting Hanifin play his game than Faulk would be.

Because JJs source said so? Maybe, maybe not. Take no stock in FO chatter - often it is intended to decieve contenders.

Just thinking about why Patrick Eaves? Who on the Hawks current roster does he most equal in stats, position, and role played? Hartman.

Hanzal? Kruger.

It is not out of the realm of possibility that they actually do go all in where they need to - top six - and clean up the cap situation in the off season.
- Return of the Roar

Eaves and Hartman are good caparables, imo. Eaves probably the better player as of right now.

Hanzal reminds me more of a Handzus type. Though, in his prime I think Handzus was a better player.

While not out of the realm, I think other teams have assets that match what the Avs would require to move Duchene. Or better assets.

if we give up a 1st it better not be for a rental. Also everybody talks about how physical the playoffs are. I also think the Speed is huge as well. In the playoffs everybody finish off hits and goes 100% each shift. Just remember that when you are talking about Vanek, hanzel, and Eaves. on really good teams those guys are 3/4 line rentals so 1st and top prospects should not be involved.

Alternative would be a Hanifin - Faulk pair... I think they think Pesce is better suited to letting Hanifin play his game than Faulk would be.
- BINGO!

Maybe. My thinking is Peters might want to use a Faulk/Hanifan sort of how Q used to deploy Seabrook/Keith. Especially when Oduya/Hjalmarsson were the shutdown pair.

Maybe in time since Hanifan still so young and may not be quite ready for that kind of role.

- ILGolfer[/URL]

ooooh Mufasa

Say it again;

Mufasa Mufasa Mufasa

Maybe. My thinking is Peters might want to use a Faulk/Hanifan sort of how Q used to deploy Seabrook/Keith. Especially when Oduya/Hjalmarsson were the shutdown pair.

Maybe in time since Hanifan still so young and may not be quite ready for that kind of role.
- TTtime

He's definitely not.

My hope is that with Hainsey out of the lineup Hanifin can flourish and really start to grow, but he's had a pretty rough year so far.

Because JJs source said so? Maybe, maybe not. Take no stock in FO chatter - often it is intended to decieve contenders.

Just thinking about why Patrick Eaves? Who on the Hawks current roster does he most equal in stats, position, and role played? Hartman.

Hanzal? Kruger.

It is not out of the realm of possibility that they actually do go all in where they need to - top six - and clean up the cap situation in the off season.
- Return of the Roar

True...but all stats, position and role played being equal in the regular season...who would you rather have in the post-season? I'll take Eaves and his playoff experience.

And no, I'm not saying Eaves is Hartman's replacement. I'm saying he is Hartman with experience. Same with Hanzal. His job isn't to replace Kruger...it's to replace Kero. Not that Kero CAN'T do it, but Hanzal has been there.

ooooh Mufasa

Say it again;

Mufasa Mufasa Mufasa
- riozzo

I always have loved Captain Obvious. My 2nd favorite captain behind #19.
[/URL]

Not fast, not a top six guy. His role is best put centering line three or four, winning D zone faceoffs, and being a load on the boards.
- Return of the Roar

Does Hanzal play on the PK unit at all? We are in need of help there unless Krug's wrist gets much better by round 1.

MORE . . .

Vanek still in play.

Hawks contacted by NYI today. No player names mentioned (yet).
- John Jaeckel

Swap former failed first round picks. McNeil for Strome

True...but all stats, position and role played being equal in the regular season...who would you rather have in the post-season? I'll take Eaves and his playoff experience.

And no, I'm not saying Eaves is Hartman's replacement. I'm saying he is Hartman with experience. Same with Hanzal. His job isn't to replace Kruger...it's to replace Kero. Not that Kero CAN'T do it, but Hanzal has been there.
- CanOCorn

If you can replace Hartman with Eaves and Kruger with Hanzal, you can now move Kruger and Hartman with Forsling to do a deal for Duchene. Pick up Eaves and Hanzal for picks/lower line guys.

That is why I asked about Duchene's TDL prorated cap hit.

Does Hanzal play on the PK unit at all? We are in need of help there unless Krug's wrist gets much better by round 1.
- ILGolfer

Yes

Vrbata has playoff bonuses in his contract that I would think are non starters. 500K just for making it, and 250K for each round won. Plus he left here on a real bad note.
- SaadBeast

If AZ retains 50% salary it would offset the playoff bonuses. I am not sure if AZ can pay 50% of playoff bonuses or not.

He's definitely not.

My hope is that with Hainsey out of the lineup Hanifin can flourish and really start to grow, but he's had a pretty rough year so far.
- BINGO!

Seems to be the normal progression for most young D-men. He would benefit from a guy like Seabrook next to him. Lord knows Seabrook has been on daycare duty the last couple of seasons.

BTW, Who is the coach that works with the defencemen in Carolina?

eaves has 11 PPG this year. So him and vanak are both PP guys on bad teams. Are those guys on our power play? borderline. I think I would rather have schmaltz and Panik then Vanek or Eaves on our Power play. Teows, hossa, and PAK which would for sure be in front of them.

Eaves has 84 ESG in 14 seasons. he is basically a 4th liner. his best year he had 15 ESG and that was his rookie year. Hartman has 14 now.

That line would provide scoring ability and two-way play. That line can score and Hanzal can be a net guy on the PP.

Guessing the price would be: Player X, Forsling or Motte, and a second rounder


Unfortunate about Palat, but... Palat-Toews-Hossa
- 93Joe

Too much for Hanzal.

If the islanders are calling, hang up.

Their two ufas forward Gionta and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg are really not the best fit,
And for my money you never know very trade Forsling for a rental, b/c he's not Dahlbeck or Stephen Johns...he has lots of intangibles I wouldn't quit on just yet.

Even at his size, Johns is suspected in his backpedal and aweness, where Forsling has a high level over understanding, and should grow into player...
- wiz1901

I still think Stan looks at his 48.4% team faceoff percentage, and that's where a move will be made.

Seems to be the normal progression for most young D-men. He would benefit from a guy like Seabrook next to him. Lord knows Seabrook has been on daycare duty the last couple of seasons.

BTW, Who is the coach that works with the defencemen in Carolina?
- TTtime

Steve Smith is the D coach and runs the PK. Former EDM assistant.

Glen Wesley is the Director of Defenseman Development.

If you can replace Hartman with Eaves and Kruger with Hanzal, you can now move Kruger and Hartman with Forsling to do a deal for Duchene. Pick up Eaves and Hanzal for picks/lower line guys.

That is why I asked about Duchene's TDL prorated cap hit.
- Return of the Roar

Teams that make such huge changes like that at the TDL rarely do well in the post-season. You're replacing 3 players who would need to learn Q's system/structure in 20 or so games when we know from history that is not easy (see: Vermette). That's a big risk for a single year when they're giving up two cost controlled young assets for pure rentals and the team is coming off a year where a similar risk fell really flat. The math in terms of cap also doesn't work without salary being retained somewhere, which would require more assets being given up.

I don't doubt they'll make a move, but I don't think it'll be quite so many new guys so late in the season.

I'd bet it's a young prospect or F see 67/48/8 AND a 1st.

Vermette fetched that (dahlbeck) and 1st 2 years ago.

Centers are always coveted.
- SteveRain

I would give the Hawk's 1st and 2nd and McNeil for Hanzal and AZ's 2nd (which is probably will not be too far behind the Hawk's 1st). OR I would give the Hawk's 2nd and 3rd and a "B" level prospect like McNeil for Hanzal.

I don't think Eaves is a top 9 player...regardless of his career year. He could easily go the remainder of the year without a goal and it wouldn't be shocking

If they get him for nothing...fine. He'd be a solid 4th line/PK player at best
- PatShart

Totally agree.

I would give the Hawk's 1st and 2nd and McNeil for Hanzal and AZ's 2nd (which is probably will not be too far behind the Hawk's 1st). OR I would give the Hawk's 2nd and 3rd and a "B" level prospect like McNeil for Hanzal.
- -Doh-

2018 first? Cause Hawks powers that be aren't giving up an appearance on the draft stage on TV on Friday night in their home town (i.e. their 2017 1st).

I still think Stan looks at his 48.4% team faceoff percentage, and that's where a move will be made.
- MartiniMan

I think you are . . . correct.

And I think it's why a lot of energy is being spent today figuring out a way to get Martin Hanzal to Chicago.

Vanek is still amazingly talented and with Toews and Hossa to carry the defensive responsibilities he would be very solid. Asking price should be a 1st at the very least though.
- Feds91Stammer

I do not see Hossa back on the top line. No way I would give a 1st for the rental Vanek.