Maybe it's an effort from the NHL to differentiate themselves from the NBA, because fans seem to complain a lot about too many fouls in that league.
- LaheysBRandy

at least you know what a foul is, you run within 15 feet of LeBron and boom its a foul

Kane has been consistently around a PPG except for 2012 where he was below, and 2015 where he was above. Kane can play with plenty of people that don't have to be Panarin, but then how do you replace the 80 points per year Panarin puts up?
- JRoenick97

I'm sorry, but you are missing the point.

Would you prefer a player like Panarin, putting up pretty numbers during the regular season - against lesser talent - and disappearing for most of the playoffs (claiming to be tired), or would you prefer a player that actually wants to be playing during the playoffs, and not the World Championships for "mother Russia"???

The smart thing for the Hawks to do is sell high on Panarin now, and retool the first line to be dominant again. And for that matter - sell high on Anisimov too. Both can get nice returns.

Where's the Preds troll? I want to be the first to congratulate him on his team's participation trophy. Preds aren't winning 4 of 5 against this team.
- golfbard

Those internet cave dwellers got only participation trophies growing up. So I guess it almost makes sense how much they celebrated Round 1

I might be in the minority, but the Kruger, TVR deal to Vegas, might actually be better than any other that other teams have to offer McPhee. A Stanley Cup winning 3rd line Center and a #5 defenseman (or a top 4 on a team that lacks depth), both under 28 years old, for draft picks. Not bad for Vegas.

When Stan asks for draft picks back, this really turns into who is doing who the favor?

Bickel and Teuvo fetched a 2nd and 3rd rounder and Carolina really did not want Bickell.

Hmmm. If I am Stan, I shop TVR. If he fetches anything close to a 2nd rounder. I go back to McPhee and tell him its exposing TVR and acquiring Kruger for 2 picks.

Lots of poker and phone calls but to me Stan is holding some of the cards.

I'm sorry, but you are missing the point.

Would you prefer a player like Panarin, putting up pretty numbers during the regular season - against lesser talent - and disappearing for most of the playoffs (claiming to be tired), or would you prefer a player that actually wants to be playing during the playoffs, and not the World Championships for "mother Russia"???

The smart thing for the Hawks to do is sell high on Panarin now, and retool the first line to be dominant again. And for that matter - sell high on Anisimov too. Both can get nice returns.
- dahawks8819

Playoff production last two years, but don't let facts get in your way:

Kane

2016 - 1G 6A
2017 - 1G 1A

Panarin

2016 - 2G 5A
2017 - 0G 1A

Toews

2016 - 0G 6A
2017 - 1G 1A

Playoff production last two years, but don't let facts get in your way:

Kane

2016 - 1G 6A
2017 - 1G 1A

Panarin

2016 - 2G 5A
2017 - 0G 1A

Toews

2016 - 0G 6A
2017 - 1G 1A
- walleyeb1

People like you on this site are so short sighted.

Goals and assists are not the only measurements of a player's effectiveness. Panarin was weak on the boards in both rounds he has played. He becomes a defensive liability when his possession numbers are not over the top. He does not forecheck very well, and most of the time in the defensive end, he hangs around the wall waiting for a pass before his teammates have retrieved the puck.

You like to see him score pretty goals when Kane sets him up during the regular season - but come playoff time - when space is at a premium - he shrinks from that style of play.

Toews was playing with back and knee injuries - and without a left wing - what was Panarin's excuse?? Oh right - he was "tired". But not so tired when the WC started and he got to play for "mother Russia" - even though they don't pay his salary.

Panarin will be 26 in October - he is not a "young" player anymore - what he is now is what he will be in 5 years. Let some team like Carolina benefit from his empty regular season 30 goals. If he nets back a player like Victor Rask, you make that trade every day of the week - and twice on Sunday.

This team will not be a Stanley Cup contender for the remaining window of opportunity they have - 2-3 years - with soft players like Panarin playing for them.

And what I said earlier about Anisimov - in the last 5 NHL seasons, he has only been healthy for one of them. He has a history of injuries. If the reports are true about him - and several teams want him, the Hawks would be well off if there was a bidding war - and they could acquire 2 useful players to augment their 3rd and 4th lines - preferably receiving at least one center strong at the face off circle.

Russian players have a history in the NHL of shrinking during playoff time - either because of the increased physical play, or the call of their home country to play in the WC. Either way, it's time to pass on these players if they are truly serious about contending for one or two more cups.

I'm sorry, but you are missing the point.

Would you prefer a player like Panarin, putting up pretty numbers during the regular season - against lesser talent - and disappearing for most of the playoffs (claiming to be tired), or would you prefer a player that actually wants to be playing during the playoffs, and not the World Championships for "mother Russia"???

The smart thing for the Hawks to do is sell high on Panarin now, and retool the first line to be dominant again. And for that matter - sell high on Anisimov too. Both can get nice returns.
- dahawks8819

I'd have no problem with that. I'm less enthusiastic about trading AA but I think pretty much anyone can go for the right return.

Maybe it's an effort from the NHL to differentiate themselves from the NBA, because fans seem to complain a lot about too many fouls in that league.
- LaheysBRandy

lost interest in the NBA a decade ago...its 3 point shooting league now and the game comes down to the last 3 minutes which takes 30 min becasue of all the damn time outs and fouls...

the nba officiating was much more consistent at times poor but generally you knew what they called and why...sure double dribble, palming and an extra step is par for the NBA game...Ole Joey Crawford still in the mix?

when milbury and jone start female doging about the refs...you know there are problems...

mcaully and ohalorhan are the best of the worst...

and the players know it and push it game after game

People like you on this site are so short sighted.

Goals and assists are not the only measurements of a player's effectiveness. Panarin was weak on the boards in both rounds he has played. He becomes a defensive liability when his possession numbers are not over the top. He does not forecheck very well, and most of the time in the defensive end, he hangs around the wall waiting for a pass before his teammates have retrieved the puck.

You like to see him score pretty goals when Kane sets him up during the regular season - but come playoff time - when space is at a premium - he shrinks from that style of play.

Toews was playing with back and knee injuries - and without a left wing - what was Panarin's excuse?? Oh right - he was "tired". But not so tired when the WC started and he got to play for "mother Russia" - even though they don't pay his salary.

Panarin will be 26 in October - he is not a "young" player anymore - what he is now is what he will be in 5 years. Let some team like Carolina benefit from his empty regular season 30 goals. If he nets back a player like Victor Rask, you make that trade every day of the week - and twice on Sunday.

This team will not be a Stanley Cup contender for the remaining window of opportunity they have - 2-3 years - with soft players like Panarin playing for them.

And what I said earlier about Anisimov - in the last 5 NHL seasons, he has only been healthy for one of them. He has a history of injuries. If the reports are true about him - and several teams want him, the Hawks would be well off if there was a bidding war - and they could acquire 2 useful players to augment their 3rd and 4th lines - preferably receiving at least one center strong at the face off circle.

Russian players have a history in the NHL of shrinking during playoff time - either because of the increased physical play, or the call of their home country to play in the WC. Either way, it's time to pass on these players if they are truly serious about contending for one or two more cups.
- dahawks8819

I may be short, but I'm not short sighted. I know Toews has been playing with a bad back for the last two years, or at least that's what we're told as to why he goes AWOL for chunks of the season and the playoffs.

Last year Panarin put up a point a game in the playoffs. This season he followed the Captains lead and didn't show up like the rest of the team.

Sounds like you have a thing against "Russian" players.

Unfortunately you don't get to skip the regular season and go straight to the playoffs, so I'd rather keep those "empty 30 goals" as well as the near point a game average. As far as AA goes, I don't think trading him for a third and fourth line player as well the way to go. A similar priced top six LW for Toews maybe. As long as he's going to do all the grunt work AA does along the boards and in front of the net and is a good two way player. I'm not entirely against rolling the dice on Scmaltz as our #2 center, but it is a roll of the dice.

I might be in the minority, but the Kruger, TVR deal to Vegas, might actually be better than any other that other teams have to offer McPhee. A Stanley Cup winning 3rd line Center and a #5 defenseman (or a top 4 on a team that lacks depth), both under 28 years old, for draft picks. Not bad for Vegas.

When Stan asks for draft picks back, this really turns into who is doing who the favor?

Bickel and Teuvo fetched a 2nd and 3rd rounder and Carolina really did not want Bickell.

Hmmm. If I am Stan, I shop TVR. If he fetches anything close to a 2nd rounder. I go back to McPhee and tell him its exposing TVR and acquiring Kruger for 2 picks.

Lots of poker and phone calls but to me Stan is holding some of the cards.
- Omahawk

Hey bud,

Not to pick on you (or beat a dead horse). But think about what you're saying:

I FULLY AGREE that this could be a great deal for the Hawks. BUT, why are 2nd and 3rd round picks an optimal or even desirable return?

You're right, Kruger and TVR are useful NHL players—and so trading them hurts the Hawks depth next season. Where is the replacement (or upgrade) coming from?

The Hawks desperately need more useful players with pro experience who check size, speed and or snarl boxes. Not less, in order to acquire more unknown "future assets" that will not only not help this year or next, but quite possibly never.

Take a look at Bowman's 2nd and 3rd rounds going back to 2010. The batting average is pretty low. And not all of that is on him. about 75% of all NHL draft picks don't become NHL players.

These are the 2017 Blackhawks, a team a couple of NHL players away from Cup contention, with a business model that almost requires Cup contention, not the 2007 Hawks who needed to stockpile 2nd round picks for a rebuild.

I'm sorry, but you are missing the point.

Would you prefer a player like Panarin, putting up pretty numbers during the regular season - against lesser talent - and disappearing for most of the playoffs (claiming to be tired), or would you prefer a player that actually wants to be playing during the playoffs, and not the World Championships for "mother Russia"???

The smart thing for the Hawks to do is sell high on Panarin now, and retool the first line to be dominant again. And for that matter - sell high on Anisimov too. Both can get nice returns.
- dahawks8819

There is at least an argument for this, but it all depends on the return.

There is at least an argument for this, but it all depends on the return.
- John Jaeckel

Well, return and the short/long term goals of the FO. The way the FO looks at a return may be different if it is a cap purge vs. rebuild vs. One Goal.

Looking at contributors traffic, JJ and his readers will run up 500 comments in 2 days just debating a trade or a rumor. Conversely, while McCann is a very good writer and does well on radio interviews, during that loss last night and through the playoffs they can muster up only 40-50 hits. And half of those are from JJ's group (tip of the hat to EnzoD for throwing up the beach-ball meme). Its nice to read and at time participate with such passionate fans of HARD HAWK HOCKEY. to the future GM's from JJ's blog:

This Bud's for you!

- EnzoD

Beach ball is bigger than puck. That's why joke is.

Beach ball is bigger than puck. That's why joke is.
- HawksHype

I do miss Lou in that picture though. The good old days.

I do miss Lou in that picture though. The good old days.
- powerenforcer

LeBrun:

Dallas Stars definitely listening on the No. 3 overall pick. Handful of teams have inquired already. Would have to really make sense.

I'm sorry, but you are missing the point.

Would you prefer a player like Panarin, putting up pretty numbers during the regular season - against lesser talent - and disappearing for most of the playoffs (claiming to be tired), or would you prefer a player that actually wants to be playing during the playoffs, and not the World Championships for "mother Russia"???

The smart thing for the Hawks to do is sell high on Panarin now, and retool the first line to be dominant again. And for that matter - sell high on Anisimov too. Both can get nice returns.
- dahawks8819

Players don't get a paycheck during the playoffs, just per diem. Their salary is for the regular season. I think that in part explains some things about Russian players in their first few years in the NHL. Done getting paid, time to go home. At some point pride kicks in. Or doesn't. Stan would be wise to see how pissed or embarrassed Panarin is to get blown out of the first round two years in a row. If he's happier about doing well in the World tournament than pissed about the Cup playoffs then I'd agree with those who say shop him now.

F---ing brilliant. Seriously. Cuz there could be some decent depth pieces there.
- John Jaeckel

Thoughts on a bigger deal with Vegas....
AA + Seabrook + Kruger in exchange for a solid young D man Vegas picks in exp. draft plus a secondary piece - i.e. Backup goalie or mid round pick in 2018.

Seems to be some sense to the deal on both sides....Vegas gets some names who will put fannies in the seats & veteran leadership with winning pedigrees (excluding soft serve AA)....Hawks get huge cap relief & a solid Dman....also consider that Shipachyov figures to be one of the few if not only top 6 skill guys Vegas will have (and who knows how his game will translate when playing on a bottom feeder)...would think they'd like to bring in another skilled Russian to play with him....AA would probably miss quite a few games in Vegas though with "upper body injuries" - i.e. Sore eyes from all the bright neon signs.

Rinne is a fraud. Always has been. Streaks of brilliance backed up by tons of mediocrity.
- TheTrob

He's Cam Ward with higher highs and lower lows.

He's Cam Ward with higher highs and lower lows.
- BINGO!

Is that possible?

There is at least an argument for this, but it all depends on the return.
- John Jaeckel

Has to be an equal return at minimum... Gutting a Top 6 LW won't help the situation unless an equal or good return is coming back. If it is for a Duchene, Palat, Drouin +, Trocheck +, Horvat, Rask +... I would hope the GM conversation will at least gain some traction.

Is that possible?
- DarthKane

5 goals on 12 shots in the Cup Finals is about as low as it gets.

Anyone remember some months ago when I commented that I heard from a reliable source that the kid wanted to sign with the hawks?

Could that have been true?
- wiz1901

Really hope so Wiz. I like his upside