Products of the Nashville farm system who have played very well in the playoffs and are versatile. Yes, easy to point them out when a team is going like Nashville.

But why not point them out - does the Hawks farm system have anybody ready to graduate and play as well as either of them soon? I think I know the answer.
- RickJ

My point is that it's easy to point this out now. If we had this conversation 2 months go the general consensus would be "Colton who"? Let's see if these guys have any staying power or they're one-trick ponies.

I'm not trying to take away anything from these guys, they've played very well and have been key contributors to the Preds. Last year it it was all about the Sharks depth, where are they now? I just don't think Nashville is the model franchise despite their recent success. Although they seems to have a secret formula when it comes to defensemen.

ryan kesler: 1 goal in 17 playoff games and 1 assist in the pred series...

oh but can he hit, slash and crosscheck...oh yeay

ducks have 24 mildo per committed to perry, getzlaf and kesler for the next 5 years...

and you think the hawks have problems....enjoy (frank)y ducky wucky fans
- bogiedoc

And all 3 are about 32. (Over the hill, sorta like Toews).

Thing about Kesler is if he would just play the game instead of rejoicing in his hated man reputation, he's a very good player.

And all 3 are about 32. (Over the hill, sorta like Toews).

Thing about Kesler is if he would just play the game instead of rejoicing in his hated man reputation, he's a very good player.
- RickJ

In the 10/11 season I recall Kesler toning down his antics and he had one of his best seasons (41 goals). Kesler plays a great two-way game and still could be a great value for the Ducks if he focuses on playing great hockey from whistle to whistle.

Right now the Preds are the flavor of the month, just like the Sharks were last season. I'm not trying to take away anything from the Preds, they've been fantastic and should be enjoying every minute of this well deserved run. But time will tell if this franchise has the staying power of the Hawks and Pens.

It's easy to point out guys like Watson and/or Sissons and say "why can't Stan get depth like that". But in early April nobody was talking about those guys, but give them credit for getting hot at the right time. Can the Watsons and Sissons continue to play well next season and beyond? Possibly, but their track records over the past couple of seasons don't support it.
- DarthKane

And today's playoff hero's are tomorrows 4X4.0M Bickell's

In the 10/11 season I recall Kesler toning down his antics and he had one of his best seasons (41 goals). Kesler plays a great two-way game and still could be a great value for the Ducks if he focuses on playing great hockey from whistle to whistle.
- DarthKane

I am beginning to think too many hits to the head.


I must say I was ecstatic when they showed Perry and Kessler crying on the bench - KARMA. Props to everyone except Biexia for manning up and going through the handshake line. I believe 2's GMC was on purpose to miss the festivities. It must be the hardest thing in the world to do with grace and dignity after loosing on your dream for the year.

The Ducks have 5 more years of Kesler and another year of Bieksa at $4 million.

Looking at the Ducks cap situation at Cap Friendly, I was drawn to Rakell's contract which seems very reasonable. He signed his ~ $3.8 deal after 43 and 31 point seasons, then went on to score 33 goals last year. I think it puts Panik's contract into perspective. Panik's two previous years were 22 points (pro-rated) and 44 points. So Panik's $2.8 million cap hip seems like a good deal.
- DarthKane

That's what you get when you pry players from teams like the Canucks who have such a rich history of winning, oh wait.

The Ducks have 5 more years of Kesler and another year of Bieksa at $4 million.

Looking at the Ducks cap situation at Cap Friendly, I was drawn to Rakell's contract which seems very reasonable. He signed his ~ $3.8 deal after 43 and 31 point seasons, then went on to score 33 goals last year. I think it puts Panik's contract into perspective. Panik's two previous years were 22 points (pro-rated) and 44 points. So Panik's $2.8 million cap hip seems like a good deal.
- DarthKane

Better still, Bieksa has a NMC so he has to be protected in the expansion draft.

ryan kesler: 1 goal in 17 playoff games and 1 assist in the pred series...

oh but can he hit, slash and crosscheck...oh yeay

ducks have 24 mildo per committed to perry, getzlaf and kesler for the next 5 years...

and you think the hawks have problems....enjoy (frank)y ducky wucky fans
- bogiedoc

Perhaps Cogliano is available? Or Silfverberg? Both on contracts less than AA or Panarin. Both had good seasons. Both relatively young.

Stan should approach COL, who is in control, about Panarin for Duchene swap and see if you can make it work from there.

Maybe something like Panarin + Anisimov + Forsling
FOR
Matt Duchene + JT Compher + Chris Bigras

Hawks get around 5 million in cap space and a 2C in Duchene. JT Compher would be great as a 3C and Chris Bigras replaces Forsling, with a little more upside. COL gets an elite scoring winger, center depth to replace Duchene and puck mover to replace Bigras.

Thoughts?
- Bjm84

So we get one top 6 forward and give up 2 top 6 forwards. It does not work for me.

And today's playoff hero's are tomorrows 4X4.0M Bickell's
- riozzo

I agree. Some guys play well for a month, and it just happens to be the playoffs, and they appear to be all stars. They got hot at the right time. They may be very good players, but they could be playing over their capabilities for a month or 6 weeks.
Brouwer - had a good playoffs last year and Calgary gave him a $4.5mil per year 4 year contract. They got 25 points from him this year. Yikes.
Bickell - need we say more
Bolland - need we say more

Especially players that play a physical game can be overrated.

My point is that it's easy to point this out now. If we had this conversation 2 months go the general consensus would be "Colton who"? Let's see if these guys have any staying power or they're one-trick ponies.

I'm not trying to take away anything from these guys, they've played very well and have been key contributors to the Preds. Last year it it was all about the Sharks depth, where are they now? I just don't think Nashville is the model franchise despite their recent success. Although they seems to have a secret formula when it comes to defensemen.
- DarthKane

I agree. There are probably 10 to 12 teams each year that could get on a hot streak and run the table. That does not mean that they can recapture that in the next year's playoffs. That also does not mean that the way they play is the direction hockey is going in and that every team is going to start modeling them.
These teams had good runs, but could not sustain it the following year(s):
2016 - Sharks & Blues
2015 - Tampa & Hawks
2014 - Rangers Kings Montreal
2013 - Boston
2012 - New Jersey & Phoenix
2011 - Vancouver

I agree. Some guys play well for a month, and it just happens to be the playoffs, and they appear to be all stars. They got hot at the right time. They may be very good players, but they could be playing over their capabilities for a month or 6 weeks.
Brouwer - had a good playoffs last year and Calgary gave him a $4.5mil per year 4 year contract. They got 25 points from him this year. Yikes.
Bickell - need we say more
Bolland - need we say more

Especially players that play a physical game can be overrated.
- -Doh-

Also, no one was game planning for a 3rd line wann-a-be. If nothing else, NHL coaches can be shrewd when trying to take players out of a game. Only the best deliver - e.g. Jordan Rules.

So we get one top 6 forward and give up 2 top 6 forwards. It does not work for me.
- -Doh-

How about Seabrook to the Rangers for Derek Stepan. Then you can go ahead and deal AA and Kruger for ????

How about Seabrook to the Rangers for Derek Stepan. Then you can go ahead and deal AA and Kruger for ????
- walleyeb1

You'd still need to get a couple of low-cost yet decent options back for AA and Kruger. You would at least need a young top 4 dman to take Seabrook's minutes.

Stepan is decent, but if AA is overpaid (as some believe) then Stepan is way overpaid.

Not a bad suggestion though, definitely thinking outside the box.

How about Seabrook to the Rangers for Derek Stepan. Then you can go ahead and deal AA and Kruger for ????
- walleyeb1

How about Seabrook for Saad.

How about Seabrook for Saad.
- DarthKane

How about Seabrook for Saad.
- DarthKane

Done where do we sign?

Done where do we sign?
- walleyeb1

Under there.

Any word on the Hossa. Is he calling it quits

a change of scenery could benefit him. playing alongside toews could also help a bit. maybe even dropping the C would be helpful for him. at 5.5M cap, and locked up for a while, wouldn't be the worst option if available or had for the right price.
- frafra

I have been saying Landerskog for awhile , and dropping the C is a great point . He could come here and just play his game . Decent contract hands and hits fights .

Any word on the Hossa. Is he calling it quits
- TJYTJY

After the season he just had? Doubt it. Still is a top 6 RW in my book.

Be bold, Stsn, is a recurring sentiment some propose. I too am in this crowd. Below is an idea to chew on. You could change the team and names coming back. You will notice that i am using another GM desire for one, possibly two top end skill forwards.

I am also well aware how everyone it seems covets young heralded defensemen whom have carved a niche yet excite, moreover, since they have not reached the zenith of their projected value. These type of dmen and the top end skill forwards serve as a model how to extract perhaps a slight advantage for us if the rival GM really feels this is his best opportunity to add such a talent in oh say a five year window period- of -time.

To Anaheim: Panarin, DeBrincat, Hjalmarsson, #1 2018
To Chicago: Fowler, Vaatanen, Rakel, 2017 #1

The two dmen to Chicago is negotiable as long as the exchange if #1 choices stays intact.
You may have noticed the preponderance of centers to be selected in round one 2017. Here is an opportunity to go after the style center we want. We can trade both #1 2017, for instance, to land a Toews type center. Because we do not know how Toews (chronic back issues?) Holds up.

No one wants to move Panarin or Hjalmarsson. You could substitute another team with a fast physical forward and it would be great if it was a center. I am not going to speculate how St Louis, Washington, or NYR could be targeted. Of course they want to package off their older, now slower guys...like Staahl NYR.

My example is thinking big and using DeBrincat, too, for a haul which addresses the many weaknesses presently in Chicago's lineup. Do i need to stress bjg, fast, physical more so in my trade suggestion. Substitute Manson. Oh my Stan epuld not make such a blockbuster, would he?

Any word on the Hossa. Is he calling it quits
- TJYTJY

I think I read somewhere that he said he's coming back next season.

Hosea is still a premiere 2 way forward. Hopefully he finishes his contract with the Hawks, he has a lot he could teach the young guys working their way up the ranks.

Be bold, Stsn, is a recurring sentiment some propose. I too am in this crowd. Below is an idea to chew on. You could change the team and names coming back. You will notice that i am using another GM desire for one, possibly two top end skill forwards.

I am also well aware how everyone it seems covets young heralded defensemen whom have carved a niche yet excite, moreover, since they have not reached the zenith of their projected value. These type of dmen and the top end skill forwards serve as a model how to extract perhaps a slight advantage for us if the rival GM really feels this is his best opportunity to add such a talent in oh say a five year window period- of -time.

To Anaheim: Panarin, DeBrincat, Hjalmarsson, #1 2018
To Chicago: Fowler, Vaatanen, Rakel, 2017 #1

The two dmen to Chicago is negotiable as long as the exchange if #1 choices stays intact.
You may have noticed the preponderance of centers to be selected in round one 2017. Here is an opportunity to go after the style center we want. We can trade both #1 2017, for instance, to land a Toews type center. Because we do not know how Toews (chronic back issues?) Holds up.

No one wants to move Panarin or Hjalmarsson. You could substitute another team with a fast physical forward and it would be great if it was a center. I am not going to speculate how St Louis, Washington, or NYR could be targeted. Of course they want to package off their older, now slower guys...like Staahl NYR.

My example is thinking big and using DeBrincat, too, for a haul which addresses the many weaknesses presently in Chicago's lineup. Do i need to stress bjg, fast, physical more so in my trade suggestion. Substitute Manson. Oh my Stan epuld not make such a blockbuster, would he?
- jhawk59

Might as well throw in AA for Silfverberg while you're at it.

It may just be my uneducated eye , but the game I am watching tonight between Pit & Ott is nothing close to the speed hitting and all out intensity of the game I watched last night . Preds could win 4 straight ..