I will also add, anecdotally, over the years, I have heard certain players names come up in trade rumors that might surprise some based on the popular perception of the player by fans, and some other names NOT come up—as far as who the Hawks might be willing to deal for this player or that.

One example: for years, I NEVER heard Kruger's name, but heard Shaw's—a lot. Shaw is gone, Kruger is still here. Although I will grant, I have heard Kruger's name a lot the last year or so and I put his being dealt at about 50/50.

What I have heard most recently is the team will approach at least 2 of the guys with NMCs about waiving, if they have deals that make sense.

I have never heard them shopping 2 or 4, and 7 only once before he extended on the new deal.

Names I heard more than once before the trade deadline were Forsling and Debrincat, which tells me the team might not be quite as high on them as some fans. Doesn't make them bad or flawed prospects—but also suggests the team's own scouting might not equal the public hype. Sell high if you can.
- John Jaeckel

Kane.
His return could fill multiple holes as he's one of the best players in the league, currently at the height of his prime.
Why would his name come up? Off ice issues and him netting a massive return

Edit:
Kane+ to NJD Kovalchuck plus the #1 pick ++
THATS a massive splash and a #1 pick should be NHL ready

I will also add, anecdotally, over the years, I have heard certain players names come up in trade rumors that might surprise some based on the popular perception of the player by fans, and some other names NOT come up—as far as who the Hawks might be willing to deal for this player or that.

One example: for years, I NEVER heard Kruger's name, but heard Shaw's—a lot. Shaw is gone, Kruger is still here. Although I will grant, I have heard Kruger's name a lot the last year or so and I put his being dealt at about 50/50.

What I have heard most recently is the team will approach at least 2 of the guys with NMCs about waiving, if they have deals that make sense.

I have never heard them shopping 2 or 4, and 7 only once before he extended on the new deal.

Names I heard more than once before the trade deadline were Forsling and Debrincat, which tells me the team might not be quite as high on them as some fans. Doesn't make them bad or flawed prospects—but also suggests the team's own scouting might not equal the public hype. Sell high if you can.
- John Jaeckel

If you're using "core" literally in your prior post #3, then you're talking Kane or Hossa - only two wingers left from that group. They are also noticeably absent from your list of players never mentioned (as is 19, who would be much more shocking as a trade chip than Kane, considering the latter is talked about as trade bait every couple of years). With Hossa, find it hard to believe they'd willingly eat that recapture penalty.

Whether it's the Scouting Dept. or the General Manager, somebody had better be hoping hard that some of these draft picks make it to the NHL and soon. They have 61 total NHL games out of the last 3 drafts and that's from one player.

And guys like McNeill, Clendening, Morin, Hayes etc. are long gone from previous drafts.

Not very good really. And that kind of draft record is exactly what started the Vancouver Canuck's spiral into the toilet.
- RickJ

Thats a little tilted though. No first round pick in '15 or '16 and with where the Hawks have drafted, lower in the first round, for the last 8 years the expectations of NHL success are lower. In some sense they have actually done pretty well in the draft. While they haven't produced a "superstar" since Kane, they have been very successful with the picks of Kruger, Saad, Shaw, Hayes, Hartman, Danault and Schmaltz.

This.

Rinne is nothing more than an average net-minder in the NHL. He has been perpetually overrated for years now. His deficiencies were masked by Trotz's defense-first systems for years, and this season he has had the fortune of playing in front of one of the best defensive groups in the NHL.

I'm hoping that Alex gets to hoist the cup for the first time in his career, though I wouldn't mind Ottawa or Edmonton winning either.
- TommyHawk

"Average" goalie shuts you out twice at home in the playoffs, the most important games of your year. Give me more "average" players like him. You don't be a #1 goalie in the NHL for over 10 years by being average. You lack of knowledge and disrespect is incredible.

Well you can't move them both IMO. You need to have a Toews insurance policy (AA can at least pretend to be the NO 1 center) and preferably one more veteran who can play up the middle, be that Duchene (or other acquisition) or Thornton.

To be perfectly honest I'd flip Panarin for Couturier straight up, bank that 2 million in savings (hes signed for 4 years at a sexy hit) then you can move Kooga for another 3 million in space and all of a sudden they aren't completely SOL if Toews misses time and they have money to spend. Couturier would also take a lot off of Toews in terms of having to take D zone draws.

Moving both of Kruger and AA gives them literally one NHL center on the roster and I like Schmalz as a player but I don't think he solves that problem for them next year.
- fattybeef

I don't disagree just see that as more of a fine tune move that this team would make then making a bolder move that essentially weakens them UNLESS they get a return that makes sense.

You also hear the rumblings of the Chicago Steel coach going to Rockford which tells me Bowman wants more a guy who can take lesser talent and mold them into something serviceable. This organization seems to be in love with the Steel type of players lately.

In a perfect world I like your previous deals but I think Panarin stays to play along with Jumbo and you reunite the wonder the twins to get Toews to max out his offensive ability.

To John's point, Hawks were supposedly IN on Kovalchuk when he landed in NJ years ago....would they form an all Russian line with 15/72 and then move Kane up to play with 19 and say 14 or 38? How they make that money work is beyond me.

Bottom line....they are right up against the cap as of today with overages. I agree on 14 where I think his numbers are inflated due to who Q pits him against, so I think anything over 2.0 AAV and you deal him....

I would also trade 7 if they could find a taker but the fact is they wont.......

IMO, they are truly stuck in a s--t storm that Bowman has created giving out NMCs like they are candy. He has truly given himself zero flexibility to dig himself out of a financial disaster and regression in his top bread winners not producing due to injuries, age, whatever.....and to Rick's point......look at the drafts lately.....not one of these guys has virtually been a corner stone for this team to build around LT and be a replacement.....some of that has to do where you draft and that's all well and fine but at the very least these guys should be bottom 6 replacments and decent NHL players.......

Time will tell but I think any possibility of a trade has to be considered by this committee internally, but I think most of us will vastly disappointed in what will transpire.

"Average" goalie shuts you out twice at home in the playoffs, the most important games of your year. Give me more "average" players like him. You don't be a #1 goalie in the NHL for over 10 years by being average. You lack of knowledge and disrespect is incredible.
- VopatsRash

Look.....I'm glad Nashville is making a run.....you look me saying Johansen is better then Toews, and I'm sure you regret that because that right there is laughable.....in the series of 4 games? Sure......in their careers? Not a chance in hell.

You should probably troll on to the Edmonton or Anaheim thread and chirp them a bit.

I am pulling for Edmonton as I think Edm-Nash would be great hockey entertainment and I am ultimately pulling for Wash as I want to see Ovi and Trotz hoist the cup.....

"Average" goalie shuts you out twice at home in the playoffs, the most important games of your year. Give me more "average" players like him. You don't be a #1 goalie in the NHL for over 10 years by being average. You lack of knowledge and disrespect is incredible.
- VopatsRash

Let me help you out for future posts.

http://www.dummies.com/ed...-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/

Kane.
His return could fill multiple holes as he's one of the best players in the league, currently at the height of his prime.
Why would his name come up? Off ice issues and him netting a massive return

Edit:
Kane+ to NJD Kovalchuck plus the #1 pick ++
THATS a massive splash and a #1 pick should be NHL ready
- Slofire94

Nolan Patrick is the consensus #1 pick this year. Not a generational talent like a McDavid or Crosby, probably not as high a top end as a Matthews, Laine, Draisaitl or Eichel but should be a solid performer who plays a 200 foot game.

Not sure I would offer up Kane, but I could see that deal work for some other combinations.

Nolan Patrick is the consensus #1 pick this year. Not a generational talent like a McDavid or Crosby, probably not as high a top end as a Matthews, Laine, Draisaitl or Eichel but should be a solid performer who plays a 200 foot game.

Not sure I would offer up Kane, but I could see that deal work for some other combinations.
- TheTrob

McKenzie reporting that 17 draft picks cannot be used in a trade for Kovi... Never saw a rule like that before.

If you're using "core" literally in your prior post #3, then you're talking Kane or Hossa - only two wingers left from that group. They are also noticeably absent from your list of players never mentioned (as is 19, who would be much more shocking as a trade chip than Kane, considering the latter is talked about as trade bait every couple of years). With Hossa, find it hard to believe they'd willingly eat that recapture penalty.
- pdx2ord

I do not see Kane or Hossa being dealt.

"Average" goalie shuts you out twice at home in the playoffs, the most important games of your year. Give me more "average" players like him. You don't be a #1 goalie in the NHL for over 10 years by being average. You lack of knowledge and disrespect is incredible.
- VopatsRash

Easy there, Sunny Jim.

He's regained his top 5-10 status for sure. He also fell off the map for a couple of years. So, there's that, too.

Let's not go to extremes.

I do not see Kane or Hossa being dealt.
- John Jaeckel

Ahh, thanks - man, I do love a good mystery!

I do not see Kane or Hossa being dealt.
- John Jaeckel

All that said, I would rule nothing out completely beyond Toews and Keith being around.

But in all likelihood, I think the trade chips might be:

72, 15, 16, 57, Hartman, Schmaltz, deBrincat, Kempny's rights, Panik's rights, Motte, Hinostroza, Fortin, Hayden, picks.

Easy there, Sunny Jim.

He's regained his top 5-10 status for sure. He also fell off the map for a couple of years. So, there's that, too.

Let's not go too extremes.
- John Jaeckel

So whats your guess on trades JJ? I think 4 is the odd man out due to his contract being the easiest to move. Dont see anyone taking 7. This team needs some TLC with little wiggle room. You beat me to it with the above post. Disregard..

Thats a little tilted though. No first round pick in '15 or '16 and with where the Hawks have drafted, lower in the first round, for the last 8 years the expectations of NHL success are lower. In some sense they have actually done pretty well in the draft. While they haven't produced a "superstar" since Kane, they have been very successful with the picks of Kruger, Saad, Shaw, Hayes, Hartman, Danault and Schmaltz.
- TheTrob

Will agree that #1 picks always at the bottom end of the round or having no picks at all eventually have an impact.

And I agree that some of the draft picks that came later, were or are quite good. And you can add players like Stephen Johns, Pirri, Nordstrom and Dahlbeck to the list - they are all playing in the NHL too.

But where are Carl Dahlstrom, Dillon Fournier, Ludvig Rensfeldt and Chris Calnan etc in their development. 2nd and 3rd round picks like those players need to make it too. Lets hope Hayden is one of them, maybe Motte too.

All that said, I would rule nothing out completely beyond Toews and Keith being around.

But in all likelihood, I think the trade chips might be:

72, 15, 16, 57, Hartman, Schmaltz, deBrincat, Kempny's rights, Panik's rights, Motte, Hinostroza, Fortin, Hayden, picks.
- John Jaeckel

if those are our trade Chips we are doomed. everybody that is young and out performs there contract other then Kruger.

"Average" goalie shuts you out twice at home in the playoffs, the most important games of your year. Give me more "average" players like him. You don't be a #1 goalie in the NHL for over 10 years by being average. You lack of knowledge and disrespect is incredible.
- VopatsRash

That's "disrespectful", yet you continue to troll a team that's won 3 cups the last 8 seasons, several division titles as well, and has bounced you how many times?

How many conference final games has your team ever played in, let alone won?

"Average" goalie shuts you out twice at home in the playoffs, the most important games of your year. Give me more "average" players like him. You don't be a #1 goalie in the NHL for over 10 years by being average. You lack of knowledge and disrespect is incredible.
- VopatsRash

That's "disrespectful", yet you continue to troll a team that's won 3 cups the last 8 seasons, several division titles as well, and has bounced you how many times?

How many conference final games has your team ever played in, let alone won?

if those are our trade Chips we are doomed. everybody that is young and out performs there contract other then Kruger.
- kmw4631

As opposed to old and under performs their contract? Trades are all relative. Value is in the eye of the beholder, the Taylor Hall trade was a good example. And never forget the PT Barnum theory.

if those are our trade Chips we are doomed. everybody that is young and out performs there contract other then Kruger.
- kmw4631

I don't agree.

All that said, I would rule nothing out completely beyond Toews and Keith being around.

But in all likelihood, I think the trade chips might be:

72, 15, 16, 57, Hartman, Schmaltz, deBrincat, Kempny's rights, Panik's rights, Motte, Hinostroza, Fortin, Hayden, picks.
- John Jaeckel

Agree with that list.

I think the goal should be to restructure line 1 & 2 around Toews and Kane - specifically Toews.

Get Toews 2 bona fide players in their prime age (Duchene & maybe Oshie?)

All Kane needs is a Veteran SMART center to ay with, that has size (Thornton) and a LW with good hockey sense - and he'd make that average player above average

Dump 72, 15, 16, 14's rights..Hinostroza, Motte, Rassmussen are all meh players. Would rather have Desi type vets (not him though, he's done) versus those 3.

John your article is all over the map. You don't give someone credit for "targeting". It is like saying well I thought about taking the garbage out. "Do or do not there is no try" is how many describe it. It is a no-brainer to think well it would be nice to have Duchene.

The coaching staff was abominable. Q talks about "playing the right way" and "playing with pace" but then doesn't allow thd team to actually play that way. There was a time when the team came in waves and predictably out-shot the opposition by a large margin, game after game. Even back then Q would stumble and I'd beg for him to get out of the team's way. How this manifests itself is the Hawks never build on leads, seem to always let other teams back into games and have trouble turning the offensive switch on when needed. With players that are highly skilled offensively let them control the puck in the offensive zone. The other team cannot score from there so it is actually the best defence.

Anisimov destroys Kane snd Panarin. Playing him between them is ludicrous. Kane and Panarin are puck possession magicians but never get the puck as Anisimov can't win a face-off. This is awful all over the ice but especially in the offensive zone. Kane and Panarin line up then immedietely skate back to their own zone. Awful.

Speaking of Anisimov the Saad trade was a disaster. Hawks got Anisimov and Dano. Q immedietely hated Dano of course. Remember Dano was the centre-piece of the trade for the Hawks. Dano gets traded along with the Hawks First Round Draft Choice for Ladd in another disastrous trade. So the trade turns out to be Anisimov for Saad and a savings of only a few million as Anisimov is for some reason paid a lot of money too.

The Hawks' young prospects are good players but Q isn't the guy. How Motte went from leading the youth pack to being buried in Rockford is but one example. Probably one of the things Dineen complained about.

Q has many MANY failings but if he has a leading failing it is this - he cannot comprehend how game scores work. He has the belief that unless scoring comes from many lines you can't win a game. For example if Toews centers Kane and Panarin winning face-offs and creating incredible puck possession that is a thing to be frowned upon. The rational is that it is not a true 5-0 win if all 5 goals came from one line.

Another Q failing is that salary dictates playing time. There are times when the goalies behind Crawford have actually outplayed Crawford but 6M Crawford plays. I remember Raanta said he wasn't just in Chicago to be the back-up but to fight for #1. This, of course, got him traded to the Rangers, for a bag of used pucks, where he has actually played ahead of future Hall of Famer Lundquist for stetches. Crawford is no future Hall of Famer. The aforementioned Anisimov certainly fits in this category. I see no reason Anisimov slots as the #2 Centre based on merit. What kind of Centre can't win a face-off? More importantly what kind of Coach keeps playing him in key situations. See Nashville Series.

Bowman traded Sharp for nothing - he took the approach that he didn't want draft picks and got nothing. Bowman then traded the players he got for Sharp also for nothing. Super valuable Saad for Anisimov. Awful. Ladd trade a Disaster. Is Z-Minus a Grade?

Q and Bowman arguably should both go if one analyses them objectively.
- Z3Hawk

The 2 guys playing on Anisimov's wing both got hardware 2 yrs ago. Did they do it inspite of 15's short comings? AA been hurt alot because he goes into the corners and stands infront of the net. Remember Shaw? He used to do that for Toews. Wonder why Toews numbers are off this year? look no farther than NO NET PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!!! Once AA was hurt last year the #2 line that carried the team scoring, shut down, as it did again this year. Krueger, Moose, Kero et al couldn't fill his skates. (given time undrafted Kero might make a decent 3rd or 4th line center, far better than either McNeil, Dannault who were 1st rounders, or Morin who was a second rounder.
Q puzzles me at times too with his "old school" treatment of rookies and journeyman players, only to reward his pets(TVR, Machinter, TooToo, CarBomb) with ice time when another with a future could be playing and learning.

McKenzie reporting that 17 draft picks cannot be used in a trade for Kovi... Never saw a rule like that before.
- riozzo

It's because he can't technically sign until after July 01.

Kane.
His return could fill multiple holes as he's one of the best players in the league, currently at the height of his prime.
Why would his name come up? Off ice issues and him netting a massive return

Edit:
Kane+ to NJD Kovalchuck plus the #1 pick ++
THATS a massive splash and a #1 pick should be NHL ready
- Slofire94

Delusional!

Agree with that list.

I think the goal should be to restructure line 1 & 2 around Toews and Kane - specifically Toews.

Get Toews 2 bona fide players in their prime age (Duchene & maybe Oshie?)

All Kane needs is a Veteran SMART center to ay with, that has size (Thornton) and a LW with good hockey sense - and he'd make that average player above average

Dump 72, 15, 16, 14's rights..Hinostroza, Motte, Rassmussen are all meh players. Would rather have Desi type vets (not him though, he's done) versus those 3.
- PatShart

I think that's a sound approach, though let's face it, there are lots of ways it can play out.

Assume 81, 2, 4, 7, 88, 19, 50 are still around. Throw everything else into the hopper and see what you can come up with the goal of a two-line punch, size/speed/nasty in the bottom 6, decent backup goalie.

Doesn't mean you have to give up ALL those other assets either (you probably don't).

I think it's doable but it really does require Bowman to take a different approach than he has.

The paradigm has been "with this core, we can backfill with rookies and league minimum vets"—more so and more so as the cap has gotten tighter. And that pressure only gets worse this summer. So in all likelihood, the result would not be any better, or it might be worse.

It's been a safe and kind of smug approach by the organization and it just bit them in the ass about two years before they thought it would. So now they have to scramble a bit. But that list of potential trade chips, IMO, gives them all kinds of trade possibilities and potential cap room with those trades. But they need to be creative and aggressive and not double down on the prospects and younguns (especially). Keep the good ones you can, but give up the good ones you have to in order to improve the team this summer.