Must resign Kempny!

Crosby, Malkin, Getzlaf, Matthews,McDavid, Kopitar and there are probably a few more names to add that have been FAR better Centers this year and they all make MUCH less than Jonathan Toews. By your logic, Stan should "Trade this guy" before Panarin as he makes nearly 2x as much and is 4 years older.
- EnzoD

Kopitar was worse than Toews this year

The Darling trade is simple logic, simple team management. Darling is a Chicago boy. Hawks gave him a chance, and he likely feels a bit of loyalty to them. There's been rumor that he would take a discount to resign with the Hawks. But more likely, he and his agent want to get the best contract, most money they can. I applaud them for that, would do the same myself. So once he told Stan that he wanted a "market" contract, the Hawks traded him for a 3rd round pick. Great move by Stan. The hawks still own exactly the same right to sign him that they did before trading him. Frankly, a great haul by Stan to get a 3rd for an UFA.

Great move by Stan.
Applaud Darling for getting what he deserves in the market.
And if things break just the right way over the next couple months, there's still a chance he ends up in Hawks sweater in fall (though highly unlikely).
- Cmonalready

Exactly. The chances that Darling is the Blackhawks #1 goalie next year are the same they were before the trade. And Stan got an additional #3.

Yeah, this exactly. CC and Seabs are not going anywhere. Kruger probably gone to Vegas or trade if Vegas does not take him. We need his cap space. I would think AA or Panarin are our big trade chips as you stated. I just don't know the Russian compete level when the playoffs start. It seems to mean so much more to Canadian and American born players. But that is just me spit balling. That is why that guy from Russia signing a three year deal is no big deal to me. Let him stay there. We need playoff battle guys.
- onehundredlevel

For your viewing pleasure, the highest PPG players in the playoffs in modern Blackhawks' history:

Kopitar was worse than Toews this year
- dirt4949

Ill take the Hawks problems over the Kings any day

Hawks - top 2 Forward salaries = 21.6 - Output, Ross, MVP last year, 2nd or third runner up this year

Kings - top 2 salaries = 15.8 - Output: Nadda and Dustin Brown has fallen off a performance cliff to an average 3rd liner.

Their is Hopium for Toews, none for Brown.

For your viewing pleasure, the highest PPG players in the playoffs in modern Blackhawks' history:


- pdx2ord

Looks to me the hole is missing Sharpie's output ...

For your viewing pleasure, the highest PPG players in the playoffs in modern Blackhawks' history:


- pdx2ord

Fair enough. Now look at the +/- column. We can slice the numbers up anyway you like.

Must resign Kempny!
- z1990z

That would be nice.

I wonder if we could package Panarin, Anisimov for Duchene, Cumpher, and Wieroch? Is this balanced? I know Sakic is looking for D though....

I just get the feeling that pretty much everything is being considered after two first round exits in the playoffs. Some possibilities aren't likely to occur, for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't mean Stan and company haven't at least run through the "what if" analysis.

I just get the feeling that pretty much everything is being considered after two first round exits in the playoffs. Some possibilities aren't likely to occur, for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't mean Stan and company haven't at least run through the "what if" analysis.
- StutzBlackhawk

We did a first round exit in 2011 & 2012 and the sky didn't fall.
Not sure it does this time either 😎

We did a first round exit in 2011 & 2012 and the sky didn't fall.
Not sure it does this time either 😎
- Colbyboy

Yes, but in 11 and 12 there was a better compete level and we actually won games in those series. This year?

That's an interesting POV.

Having heard a fair amount on this topic, when Darling hot dealt, it didn't necessarily mean, in my mind, there wasn't another shoe to drop and/or that Crawford might not still be moved.

I don't think Crawford is going anywhere, honestly. If he balked at being traded now (and he did, even though some fanboys refuse to accept that the Hawks would have considered dealing him—but they'll consider dealing Toews. Whatever), he will balk again most likely.

All that said, there are a LOT of ways things can play out and I have been told to expect a surprise or two—if the Hawks make some moves. Because status quo with BDH (Big DeBrincat Hype) could also be what happens.
- John Jaeckel

I'm curious as to how he balked, he has to submit a ten team list. I'd love to see that list, granted it's easier for a goalie to submit that prohibits a trade. But it's got to be a bit harder when it's ten teams. I tend to think it's more Stan didn't want to move him than Crawford and his agent balking.

We did a first round exit in 2011 & 2012 and the sky didn't fall.
Not sure it does this time either 😎
- Colbyboy

In 2012 Hossa was 33 and every other Core Player was in their 20s. Toews and Kane will be 29 when the season starts and the Big 3 on D are all 30+. So, comparing this summer to 2011 or 2012 is not quite accurate.

I'm curious as to how he balked, he has to submit a ten team list. I'd love to see that list, granted it's easier for a goalie to submit that prohibits a trade. But it's got to be a bit harder when it's ten teams. I tend to think it's more Stan didn't want to move him than Crawford and his agent balking.
- walleyeb1

Covered elsewhere, at least 15 teams in NHL not needing or interested in his services...

BOS, NYR, MON, PIT, LAK, ANA, NSH, TBL, STL, MIN as a starter list for you.

That's an interesting POV.

Having heard a fair amount on this topic, when Darling hot dealt, it didn't necessarily mean, in my mind, there wasn't another shoe to drop and/or that Crawford might not still be moved.

I don't think Crawford is going anywhere, honestly. If he balked at being traded now (and he did, even though some fanboys refuse to accept that the Hawks would have considered dealing him—but they'll consider dealing Toews. Whatever), he will balk again most likely.

All that said, there are a LOT of ways things can play out and I have been told to expect a surprise or two—if the Hawks make some moves. Because status quo with BDH (Big DeBrincat Hype) could also be what happens.
- John Jaeckel

Ill believe that when I see it otherwise just FO spin.

Covered elsewhere, at least 15 teams in NHL not needing or interested in his services...

BOS, NYR, MON, PIT, LAK, ANA, NSH, TBL, STL, MIN as a starter list for you.
- riozzo

Yeah I see much easier than I thought.

The article hints at trading Keith....And I can not agree more...Seabrook is untradeable and his contract is a nightmare....The best trading tool we have is Hjalmalson, Keith and Panarin....
- shidler

Pretty sure Keith is subject to recapture penalties just like Hossa.

Pretty sure Keith is subject to recapture penalties just like Hossa.
- Blackwater13

he is but he only has 6 years left and its not as front loaded as Hossa. So he would be 39 in his last year. I think for a D player of his size he more then likely will play out the contract. hossa has 4 years left and ends at 42.

he is but he only has 6 years left and its not as front loaded as Hossa. So he would be 39 in his last year. I think for a D player of his size he more then likely will play out the contract. hossa has 4 years left and ends at 42.
- kmw4631

And the way Hossa plays I hope it plays it out.

If they dangle 72, he would fetch a nice return. Two years in the league. Back to back 30 goal seasons. Stan will have a helluva time trying to move big salary.

If they dangle 72, he would fetch a nice return. Two years in the league. Back to back 30 goal seasons. Stan will have a helluva time trying to move big salary.
- z1990z

I would rather move Panarin and round out the roster with more cap flexibility at this point

as much as I love Panarin, Kane doesnt need him and can carry a line by himself. We won a cup with him dragging Versteeg and Richards around when Richards was a year away from retirement. He also carrying Handzus in 2013 to a cup too.

Also, for us being fortunate picking out Panarin from the Russian FA heap and having him come up aces, he hasnt exactly been the missing piece come playoff time. back to back 30 goal seasons. great. he hasnt exactly been a force in the postseason. 2 years, 60+ goals, a poopload of bonuses, 3 playoff wins.

might be the best option

he is but he only has 6 years left and its not as front loaded as Hossa. So he would be 39 in his last year. I think for a D player of his size he more then likely will play out the contract. hossa has 4 years left and ends at 42.
- kmw4631

Keith and Hammer are not the ones with contract or performance issues and not the contracts you want to discard.....in fact those are the ones you keep.

Toews and Seabs contracts are the issue based on lenght, price and output.

Find a way to dump those along with Krug and you just cleared 20 million....wow thats one way to rebuild. Even if you only gets picks then at least you are not longer burdened by these contracts and have money to get other talent. Thinks its bad now just wait a few years when both those players are seriously declining and you still have 20 million worth of contracts for another 5 years, then we will be royally screwed.

You build around Kane, Keith, Panarin and the youth.....everyone else expendable.

Keith and Hammer are not the ones with contract or performance issues and not the contracts you want to discard.....in fact those are the ones you keep.

Toews and Seabs contracts are the issue based on lenght, price and output.

Find a way to dump those along with Krug and you just cleared 20 million....wow thats one way to rebuild. Even if you only gets picks then at least you are not longer burdened by these contracts and have money to get other talent. Thinks its bad now just wait a few years when both those players are seriously declining and you still have 20 million worth of contracts for another 5 years, then we will be royally screwed.

You build around Kane, Keith, Panarin and the youth.....everyone else expendable.
- Hawkster

Toews has really fallen off in his play. Lets see what he looks like next year. Dont know if its loss of focus or his body is simply breaking down.

We did a first round exit in 2011 & 2012 and the sky didn't fall.
Not sure it does this time either 😎
- Colbyboy

Back then we didn't have two (+Seabrook= 3?) mammoth contracts limiting the FO's options.