John Jaeckel: About Last Night
- John Jaeckel

JJ, you do a great job and I really respect your objectivity and professionalism.

But whatever rumours you have heard about the Leafs being interested in Seabrook are simply wrong. I would never suggest you're making them up obviously. A year and a half ago the Leafs traded their captain, and not because he was a bad player because he wasn't. They traded him because of his contract and you could argue Seabrook's is worse. And FWIW Seabrook is not appreciably better than Phaneuf was when he was traded (or now for that matter).

I think the Hawks will have a very difficult time moving Seabrook, his contract is onerous and his play is really slipping.

Even at 1.5m retained I think you guys would still have a hard time moving him especially getting anything of value. Most teams who are in win now mode are against the cap and any team that can afford him are years away where his contract is going to be albatross by the time they are ready to compete. 7 years is way to much term for a 32 year old dman even at 5m. I haven't watched him play much this year so I don't know how good he is current but from a numbers point of view he still put up good numbers offensively but had terrible shot suppression.
- HealthyScratch6

You can spend all of the time you want looking at all of his numbers, all you really need to know is that he spent most of the last 2 seasons playing babysitter partner to every other defenceman other than his true partner Duncan Keith.

Weber got traded; Subban got traded; Shattenkirk got dumped and is now looking for a home where he can be grossly overpaid; and that complete stiff Keith Yandle squeezed big money out of Florida.

So, I'd say Seabrook still has value at his salary. That is unless you'd prefer the Leafs to give the great Shattenkirk top dollar or grab Dan Girardi off the Rangers scrap heap.

No matter who they decide on, the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have to get help on their backend or they will be life and death to make the playoffs next season. Tampa will be better, so will Boston, Carolina and Ottawa. And even Buffalo. And Lamoriello and Babcock know that in spades.

And to be honest about it, all of this talk about Seabrook may be a smokescreen anyway. Who knows, maybe the team has asked him, Hossa, Crawford and others to waive their NMCs just so they can protect other young players in the expansion draft. Vegas would never claim Hoss or Seabrook's contract unless they intended to flip the player elsewhere.

Actually Djamon, Seabrook put up 14 goals and 39 points one season ago. He still is a fantastic right handed shot on the power play. So he is not slipping as bad as you perceive.

Wiz-If I am Stan, I definitely deal with Jim Nill. Nill looked like the cat who ate the canary when he acquired Sharp, Johns and signed Oduya. After all that the guy he gave up Trevor Daley turned out to be the best player and is about to get his second ring. Nill hired Lindy Ruff and gave him a 4 year plan. Meh! Poor goaltending or should I say no Dominik Hasek is Ruffs weakness. That partnership is over.

JJ, you do a great job and I really respect your objectivity and professionalism.

But whatever rumours you have heard about the Leafs being interested in Seabrook are simply wrong. I would never suggest you're making them up obviously. A year and a half ago the Leafs traded their captain, and not because he was a bad player because he wasn't. They traded him because of his contract and you could argue Seabrook's is worse. And FWIW Seabrook is not appreciably better than Phaneuf was when he was traded (or now for that matter).

I think the Hawks will have a very difficult time moving Seabrook, his contract is onerous and his play is really slipping.
- djamon

What day did you sit down with Lou Lamoriello to be made aware of the Leafs lack of interest in Seabrook?

Better be careful because if Uncle Lou finds out that you advised Hockeybuzz that the team has no interest in #7, he will remove you quickly from his list of privileged insiders who he always shares delicate info with.

Sun Times' Laz is hearing Hammer and Hoss's names come up.

EDIT - Laz tweet at 8:15 pm
I have no concrete info yet, but Niklas Hjalmarsson's name has popped up a few times among people I've talked with. Marian Hossa, too.
- Marlowe

Now we're talking.

That Brannstrom kid is amazing. If Stan makes a trade with Toronto or Boston to move up in draft (as Elliot Friedman predicts), I think they nab him then later go with a little more size at pick 26.

I've been harping on it on this board, that I do not believe Stan waits until pick 26 to get the home crowd riled up.
- Omahawk

He's 5'10 and 170lbs. Freaking TT was bigger.

What day did you sit down with Lou Lamoriello to be made aware of the Leafs lack of interest in Seabrook?

Better be careful because if Uncle Lou finds out that you advised Hockeybuzz that the team has no interest in #7, he will remove you quickly from his list of privileged insiders who he always shares delicate info with.
- RickJ

What day did you sit down with Lou Lamoriello to be made aware of the Leafs lack of interest in Seabrook?

Better be careful because if Uncle Lou finds out that you advised Hockeybuzz that the team has no interest in #7, he will remove you quickly from his list of privileged insiders who he always shares delicate info with.
- RickJ

Thanks for the sarcasm...that and your insistence on referring to players by their numbers are your most endearing qualities.

The thing is, I know more about the Leafs than you do. I was around and read about why they justified trading their captain and top pairing defenseman. They were very clear about the reasons (Kessel too, but less so). They've also been very clear on how they intend to build this team from a contractual standpoint, and adding this contract is not what they have in mind.

Thanks for the sarcasm...that and your insistence on referring to players by their numbers are your most endearing qualities.

The thing is, I know more about the Leafs than you do. I was around and read about why they justified trading their captain and top pairing defenseman. They were very clear about the reasons (Kessel too, but less so). They've also been very clear on how they intend to build this team from a contractual standpoint, and adding this contract is not what they have in mind.
- djamon

Don't take too much money to Vegas to wager on that statement. You might be surprised by the number of their games I attend.

Now we're talking.
- TTtime

Hjalmarsson makes sense. If people complain about Seabrook's contract they'll really be upset with the next contract #4 gets. Sure, it would be difficult to replace Hammer but the same could be said of any big contract that goes.

Finally !

A real rumor!


New Jersey was offered Chris Tanev to trade the number one overall for Vancouver's fifth overall.

Devils want Brock Boeser included...it is the number one overall, isn't it?

Finally !

A real rumor!


New Jersey was offered Chris Tanev to trade the number one overall for Vancouver's fifth overall.

Devils want Brock Boeser included...it is the number one overall, isn't it?
- wiz1901

Id do it if im van. Then tank for dahlin and hope the lottery lines up in your favor

Id do it if im van. Then tank for dahlin and hope the lottery lines up in your favor
- the_dough_boy

Well sure, Van would do it. Its a massive overpayment to Tanev. Devils are in rebuild mode themselves.

Finally !

A real rumor!


New Jersey was offered Chris Tanev to trade the number one overall for Vancouver's fifth overall.

Devils want Brock Boeser included...it is the number one overall, isn't it?
- wiz1901

Yes. Devils have the 1st. Van pick at 5 would have to be included. Tanev is 26-27 i think and gets injured. He is an okay player. Nothing special. Brings no offense at all.

Hjalmarsson makes sense. If people complain about Seabrook's contract they'll really be upset with the next contract #4 gets. Sure, it would be difficult to replace Hammer but the same could be said of any big contract that goes.
- DarthKane

One of the reason I want him moved.

so kruger in a $$$ dump and now seabs in $$$ dump...just great...

ok...

yes seabs has lost a step
yes seabs has been chained with newbies and never willbies
yes his production slipped last year

but please tell me where the hawks get a dman with his size
tell me how they replace the only blue line guy who can get a shot on net
tell me how they replace a huge positive locker room guy like him
tell me how they replace their best dman passer

oh and if they just get picks and prospects...tell me how they are better come sept...

Sun Times' Laz is hearing Hammer and Hoss's names come up.

EDIT - Laz tweet at 8:15 pm
I have no concrete info yet, but Niklas Hjalmarsson's name has popped up a few times among people I've talked with. Marian Hossa, too.
- Marlowe

not surprising...i am sure stanbow will listen to anyone who comes a calling

hossa maybe 1 more year...as has been pointed out many times...i don't think he wants to get beat up and risk serious injury at his age for 1 mildo per...

If the Hawks move 81 and 4 they are done. Two of the biggest warriors on the team? Yea lets move them...Pathetic idea.

This team is done...people trying to dump Seabs for nothing. Please tell me who replaces him? Absolutely idiocy. They guy is still a great D-man. Someone will fleece the great Stan...

I suspect the trade will be

Seabrook + Schmaltz + pick for cat turds out of a litter box simply to "save salary"....because sweeteners and all.

If the Hawks move 81 and 4 they are done. Two of the biggest warriors on the team? Yea lets move them...Pathetic idea.
- kwolf68

No matter who they move it will hurt. But I'd move 4 over 7 any day.

No matter who they move it will hurt. But I'd move 4 over 7 any day.
- DarthKane

Definitely agree. Seabs, at a minimum, is a better passer, shooter & usually masterfully breaks up 2 on 1s.

I like Hammer, but Seabs is simply a better overall D-man

Now we're talking.
- TTtime

Your really don't like Hammer?

Ridiculous how when you wander over to the Toronto, Vancouver, etc. forums, and you see everyone freak out about a potential Seabrook move and act as if they are doing the 'Hawks a favor of taking him on

It amazes me how disrespected he is in outside circles.

He's (franking) 32 years old and still performing at a high level. He's NOT a Michael Rozsvial-esque three-legged shopping cart. He's got MULTIPLE years left of performing at a high level.

Your really don't like Hammer?
- scott.jackson

Not the player he has been for the last two seasons. One, he is one dimensional. I don't even care about the points so much. He can't skate the puck out of trouble. His passing is pathetic. The puck stops on his stick every freaking time. He refuse to use his body at all and gets dummied constantly down low.

He blocks shots. Yay! He has to because he can't clear the freaking zone.

And that doesn't even get into the effect he has had on Keith the last two seasons.

Ridiculous how when you wander over to the Toronto, Vancouver, etc. forums, and you see everyone freak out about a potential Seabrook move and act as if they are doing the 'Hawks a favor of taking him on

It amazes me how disrespected he is in outside circles.

He's (franking) 32 years old and still performing at a high level. He's NOT a Michael Rozsvial-esque three-legged shopping cart. He's got MULTIPLE years left of performing at a high level.
- TommyHawk

He gets disrespected pretty well in here.