If the draft wasn't so weak this year, Vegas could put a pretty good team on the ice with their exp draft, and 3 of the top 15 picks.

Edit-Plus 3 more in the second round.

So Stan traded Saad, which turned into Anisimov and Panik, and now traded Panarin for Saad. So does the mean that the final deal is Panarin for Saad Anismiov and Panik + TBD?
- stan-ley-cups

Since they originally HAD Saad, I think it is still Panarin for Anisimov and Panik.

Thinking on all the modern teams too: Kings in both cup wins have a few (more in 2014 than 2012 obvs). Boston in 2011 a handful, including their #1 d-man, goalie, and someone over 40 in their top 6. It's almost like a team needs balance between youth and veterans.
- L_B_R

If you go back and look at even the great players-HOF types most forwards have a meaningful drop in production after age 30...Effectiveness of dmen and goalies can last much longer and both positions usually take longer to develope.

Agreed. At $10.5m the words "revitalize Toews" really should never have to be used.... but, it's a problem that needs to be addressed and Toews is apparently too busy worrying about the climate and his personal political ambitions to do it himself... so the team is handling it. If getting Saad back out there with him doesn't help that contract will enter Dustin Brown territory.
- tredbrta

Shoud've traded Toews instead of Panarin then!

Shoud've traded Toews instead of Panarin then!
- Kewl1

Let me make some calls

NOT liking the Panarin for Saad deal.
This team needs scoring, and now has less.

- Kewl1

Saad himself scored 55 goals over the past two seasons — just six fewer than Panarin.

Let me make some calls
- Stan_Bowman

If they add Kane or Neal... the team just got a lot more sandpaper and size. Not only that, guy should who can pot 30 goals.


I like to believe we see another left field move. I believe that there is a method to this madness too.
- 93Joe

I'm probably in the minority here but I'd love to somehow get Kane, not Neal.
He's got youth, size, speed and skill. Yes he's got some baggage but that's what our Top Notch leadership group is for. Let them set the demands and expectations and enforce them properly. He would give this team a whole new look with lots of aggression. Teams will be a lot less confident coming into our building with him here., not to mention, a little fearful. He has THE EDGE.

Since they originally HAD Saad, I think it is still Panarin for Anisimov and Panik.
- StLBravesFan

These are the types of moves that Stan needs to make in order to stretch the available money. Changing one large salary of a "star" for two good players with lesser salary so that the team has DEPTH.

Now what about Toews ($10.5M) for Simmonds (~$4M) and Couturier (~$4.3M). Plus $2M in cap space! Ha.

Saad himself scored 55 goals over the past two seasons — just six fewer than Panarin.
- JRoenick97

And rarely played on the power play

Shoud've traded Toews instead of Panarin then!
- Kewl1

Unfortuantely no one would touch that without the Hawks picking up a bunch of salary on it.

I'll give Stan credit for making some moves, but still find him a mediocre GM, or whatever that want to call that front office quorum.

When comparing Panarin and Saad remember that 17 of Panarin's points (9G 8A) were on the power play. Saad did not get much PP time. Also Saad did some penalty killing for Columbus.

Unfortuantely no one would touch that without the Hawks picking up a bunch of salary on it.

I'll give Stan credit for making some moves, but still find him a mediocre GM, or whatever that want to call that front office quorum.
- howiehandles

Unpopular moves?!?!

I have no problem with either transaction. Luv the return of Saad and time will tell if Murphy fits, but the reason for the transactions is obvious.

I expect more moves, and the only hypothetical that would shock me...

...if Crawford is traded.

And rarely played on the power play
- Anaarkey

Even strength goals last year:

Panarin - 21
Saad - 23

Unfortuantely no one would touch that without the Hawks picking up a bunch of salary on it.

I'll give Stan credit for making some moves, but still find him a mediocre GM, or whatever that want to call that front office quorum.
- howiehandles

SB is good at bailing out of tight situations. He's not good at extending contracts.

When comparing Panarin and Saad remember that 17 of Panarin's points (9G 8A) were on the power play. Saad did not get much PP time. Also Saad did some penalty killing for Columbus.
- -Doh-

Extreme two-way players are very hard pressed to put up tons of points. The fact he's gonna pot close to 60 pts is a huge win given the unseen numbers he will prevent on defense. He'll score less than Panarin, but there will be a positive net gain.

Even strength goals last year:

Panarin - 21
Saad - 23
- JRoenick97

DinG

DinG
- kwolf68

Even strength goals 2015-2016

Panarin - 21
Saad - 25

Extreme two-way players are very hard pressed to put up tons of points. The fact he's gonna pot close to 60 pts is a huge win given the unseen numbers he will prevent on defense. He'll score less than Panarin, but there will be a positive net gain.
- kwolf68

How 'bout Saad helping with our (frank)ing terrible PK last year? Saad will plunder a few shorties, too.

How 'bout Saad helping with our (frank)ing terrible PK last year? Saad will plunder a few shorties, too.
- DMChi2010

Maybe Saad can help the awful PP

Maybe Saad can help the awful PP
- Hank3Henshaw

Saad won't make up for Panarin on the PP, but that's fine as long as he helps at 5v5 and on the PK.

Saad won't make up for Panarin on the PP, but that's fine as long as he helps at 5v5 and on the PK.
- L_B_R

Hugely important as the hawks have become more of a PP and OT kind of team too often lately.

@PierreVLeBrun 57s58 seconds ago

Chayka said he never spoke to Chicago about taking on Hossa contract

Unfortuantely no one would touch that without the Hawks picking up a bunch of salary on it.

I'll give Stan credit for making some moves, but still find him a mediocre GM, or whatever that want to call that front office quorum.
- howiehandles

With 3 cups in chicago (with a hat tip to tallon for the first 1)