You people keep talking about getting a top 4 defenseman - it's NOT going to happen - and two reasons:

1) Most teams don't have four good defenseman - and the few who do aren't giving them up, and

2) The Hawks don't have anything they would want to trade if one were available.

So please stop talking about acquiring one just because there may be cap space available. By the time the season starts, those d-men available will not be better than what we currently have - and certainly not worth paying. SMH

- dahawks8819

The team to deal with is Carolina. They have a wealth of young NHL ready
defenseman in their pipeline and could use a center like Anisimov. This is a team on the rise. Watch them closely this year with Darling and a lot of ex Hawks and they will surprise a lot of people. They beat a full Edmonton team last night soundly....

I also think that Carolina may be the final landing spot for Duchene as well because they have all these young Dmen that Sakic is looking for. It's just not going to be Faulk, Hanifin, or Slavin IMO.

FWIW Svedberg was told to head up the Northwest Tollway to Rockford prior to last nights game.

For the sake of argument - in a league with a shortage of quality top 4 d-men, who would you say is availabe, and what would it take to acquire them??
- dahawks8819

^^^^^^^

No GM is out there looking to part with a legit top 4 d-man for Hinostroza or a late 2nd round pick, just because it helps the Hawks

FWIW Svedberg was told to head up the Northwest Tollway to Rockford prior to last nights game.
- Rota's Rooter

And Fortin

Tanner is usually FOS, but so far what he said about Murphy is spot on. This player has looked terrible at times. Seems to me this would be the year to take a step up, but against part time NHL players he hasn't looked the part. If he magically becomes a legit Top 4 force on October 8th I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I think this player will end up on the third pair. He has all the prototypical tools, size, decent skater, hits, nice shot, but he just doesn't play well. ULF...get to work. Hell, Ruuta so far deserves the spot, and I am not sold that he can handle it once the games get going for real, but because of the contract crap he may end up in Rockford.
- kwolf68

Agree with you and Enzo...Stan's projecting and what Murphy currently is are 2 different things. Sure new system with a new defensive coach so let's see what Ulf can do with him...but top 4 dmen don't grow on trees and Bowman just traded our best defender to the desert, because he was the only one without a no mover...sure financially it was a good move, but you're trying to win a Cup right?

Some have mentioned waiting to the TDL to get another vet dman and we all saw how that worked out two years ago against St. Louis. Bowman didn't get it done.
Let's hope Ulf works some magic here.

^^^^^^^

No GM is out there looking to part with a legit top 4 d-man for Hinostroza or a late 2nd round pick, just because it helps the Hawks
- John Jaeckel

That's not nearly enough, I'm thinking we'd have to give up ADB/Hartman+Forsling/Pokka/high draft pick. All of which would be well worth acquiring a true #3D.

Hartman is great trade asset for us right now because we have the depth at forward to replace him at 3RW. He's coming off a 20goal rookie season and i think many teams would be interested in acquiring him. So any trade for a defenseman would probably have to center around him as the piece going the other way.

^^^^^^^

No GM is out there looking to part with a legit top 4 d-man for Hinostroza or a late 2nd round pick, just because it helps the Hawks
- John Jaeckel

Those of us who lost our Rose Colored Glasses would think a 1-dimensional goal scorer like Debrincat would be expendable and a sell-high candidate while his prospect buzz outweighs his NHL ice contributions. Same thing can be said for Forsling. Debrincat + Forsling + pick would be a damn good starting point for a Dman that might be on the low-key trading block (Barrie, Tanev, Trouba, ect..)

Those of us who lost our Rose Colored Glasses would think a 1-dimensional goal scorer like Debrincat would be expendable and a sell-high candidate while his prospect buzz outweighs his NHL ice contributions. Same thing can be said for Forsling. Debrincat + Forsling + pick would be a damn good starting point for a Dman that might be on the low-key trading block (Barrie, Tanev, Trouba, ect..)
- EnzoD

Well said. I'm thinking Hartman+ might be able to fetch us an even bigger return too. But either way, if it lands us someone like Trouba then lets make it happen!

Just a thought........what would it take to get back Hjarlmarsson from Phoenix ?
Once Hossa money becomes available, would this be worth considering ?
Forsling, Fortin, and a pick ?

Just a thought........what would it take to get back Hjarlmarsson from Phoenix ?
Once Hossa money becomes available, would this be worth considering ?
Forsling, Fortin, and a pick ?
- Gary0301

Keith or SAAD would be my guess. it Took Panarin to get SAAD.

Murphy's track record in the NHL is not a good one. One has to wonder.... was Murphy a product of a bad team in AZ, or was Murphy part of the problem there? Either way, it is clear that he is a "prospect" with 200 games of NHL experience. i love his size, physical edge, mobility, and he has a hard shot that he seems to get on net. I have been troubled by his defensive reads both at the offensive blue line and in the neutral zone, as well as his puck movement in transition. Anchor 2+5 together and let Keith cover for some of his growing pains. The upside is sky high, but Murphy is clearly still a work in progress.
- EnzoD

Agree. Playing with a bad team one can develop some bad habits. Playing with Keith, watching Seabs, playing for new D coach, playing for a Head Coach that was a pretty good Dman in his day, and playing with a strong leader like Toews that plays a two game, might help him break some of those bad habits. But it is not going to happen over night. I am willing to give him some time and live with his mistakes in the mean time. One thing about Bowman is that he is pretty patient with players.

That's not nearly enough, I'm thinking we'd have to give up ADB/Hartman+Forsling/Pokka/high draft pick. All of which would be well worth acquiring a true #3D.

Hartman is great trade asset for us right now because we have the depth at forward to replace him at 3RW. He's coming off a 20goal rookie season and i think many teams would be interested in acquiring him. So any trade for a defenseman would probably have to center around him as the piece going the other way.
- SimpleJack

Exactly what I was getting at with my comment last night about a top-4 defenseman being the higher priority than a top-6 forward. It'll cost a lot to get a top-4 d-man, definitely not scraps from the bottom of the barrel. If the Hawks are in fact interested in Duchene and have put forth a set of coveted assets to send to Colorado, the logic would be the Hawks may be willing to do the same if they decided to forgo Duchene and pursue a high-end blueliner instead.

I agree with others that no team is just going to give the Hawks a top-4 d-man but if the price is right and Bowman can put together a package he's comfortable with, then anything is possible. Again, if he's willing to put offers on the table for Duchene, then why not for a defenseman who can slot in at the 3rd or 4th spot.

That's not nearly enough, I'm thinking we'd have to give up ADB/Hartman+Forsling/Pokka/high draft pick. All of which would be well worth acquiring a true #3D.

Hartman is great trade asset for us right now because we have the depth at forward to replace him at 3RW. He's coming off a 20goal rookie season and i think many teams would be interested in acquiring him. So any trade for a defenseman would probably have to center around him as the piece going the other way.
- SimpleJack

The best thing would be to wait. Later in the season there will be sellers and the asking price will not be as high as it is right now. The Hawks aren't going to make it or break it based a second pair D, if the situation were that dire, then the window is closed, so it won't matter much anyway.

And Fortin
- Slofire94

I knew of Fortin. Was just checking to see if there had been any moves today and noticed Lurch had been shipped out.

I knew of Fortin. Was just checking to see if there had been any moves today and noticed Lurch had been shipped out.
- Rota's Rooter

Fortin was sent to Rockford?

Honest question here:

What was suspension-worthy about the Desjardin's hit in Saturday night's game against the Devils.

I'm having trouble keeping up with the changes to rules/penalties. To me, it looked like he went for the Devil's player's chest and the player had his head down.

Fortin was sent to Rockford?
- z1990z

Yes. https://www.nhl.com/black...sign-svedberg/c-291343674

Murphy's track record in the NHL is not a good one. One has to wonder.... was Murphy a product of a bad team in AZ, or was Murphy part of the problem there? Either way, it is clear that he is a "prospect" with 200 games of NHL experience. i love his size, physical edge, mobility, and he has a hard shot that he seems to get on net. I have been troubled by his defensive reads both at the offensive blue line and in the neutral zone, as well as his puck movement in transition. Anchor 2+5 together and let Keith cover for some of his growing pains. The upside is sky high, but Murphy is clearly still a work in progress.
- EnzoD

I really disagree on his track record. For his age and situation he did pretty well and was improving year over year. You really can't consider him a prospect after he has nearly 260 games under his belt at age 24. Would you have considered Hjalmarrson a prospect going into the 2011-12 season? He was about the same age and had significantly less games under his belt (and less TOI).

I'm not saying he is perfect, but he was a #3 on an NHL team for a reason and I'm not reading much into a preseason game or two.

Honest question here:

What was suspension-worthy about the Desjardin's hit in Saturday night's game against the Devils.

I'm having trouble keeping up with the changes to rules/penalties. To me, it looked like he went for the Devil's player's chest and the player had his head down.
- Hank3Henshaw

I had a tough time with that one even after viewing it several times. Players have gotten away with a lot more than that.

That's not nearly enough, I'm thinking we'd have to give up ADB/Hartman+Forsling/Pokka/high draft pick. All of which would be well worth acquiring a true #3D.

Hartman is great trade asset for us right now because we have the depth at forward to replace him at 3RW. He's coming off a 20goal rookie season and i think many teams would be interested in acquiring him. So any trade for a defenseman would probably have to center around him as the piece going the other way.
- SimpleJack

We may have forward depth, but there are no Hartmans there. We need more Hartmans -there is no way that we should even thinking about moving someone like him. Fans of other teams have noticed too seeing that he is always included in trade proposals.

That's not nearly enough, I'm thinking we'd have to give up ADB/Hartman+Forsling/Pokka/high draft pick. All of which would be well worth acquiring a true #3D.

Hartman is great trade asset for us right now because we have the depth at forward to replace him at 3RW. He's coming off a 20goal rookie season and i think many teams would be interested in acquiring him. So any trade for a defenseman would probably have to center around him as the piece going the other way.
- SimpleJack

I would trade Hartman + Forsling/Pokka+ a 3 rd pick for a sold second line quality defenseman who is quick to get out of the D zone. However, ADB would be not part of the equation IMO. The cat has to much potentials to be part of the trade unless it's only him and Forsling/pokka for the D man.

I would trade Hartman + Forsling/Pokka+ a 3 rd pick for a sold second line quality defenseman who is quick to get out of the D zone. However, ADB would be not part of the equation IMO. The cat has to much potentials to be part of the trade unless it's only him and Forsling/pokka for the D man.
- spanky

I may be in the minority here, but if trading Debrincat (plus) could land the Hawks a top 4 d-man I would do that in a heartbeat.

Those of us who lost our Rose Colored Glasses would think a 1-dimensional goal scorer like Debrincat would be expendable and a sell-high candidate while his prospect buzz outweighs his NHL ice contributions. Same thing can be said for Forsling. Debrincat + Forsling + pick would be a damn good starting point for a Dman that might be on the low-key trading block (Barrie, Tanev, Trouba, ect..)
- EnzoD

Only Trouba among those you mentiined is a significant upgrade. You don't want Barrie, btw, since he is really just a very good offensive third pair. The Avalanche E Johnson and Barrie might be valued as secondary, ie, second pair (Johnson) or third pair (Barrie) AFTER they had legitimate first pair guy. They are too weak, defensively, to want via trade.

We have a slew of prospects whom if they develop are likely bound for second and third pair. We have to play them here and in Rockford. The only dman we trade for should be an older veteran like Franson or if Stuart was in his prime (tough and skated ok). Late this year or next Snuggerud will establish himself as a third pair.

So you have two small guys on defense. If you have another non aggressive dman like Forsling, then he better be good defensively and well he has an offensive plus (His shot). Forsling better defensively happens maybe if he plays a lot in Rockford then is coached well later by Samuelson

I will say this now: it is all about winning in the next two years. Ok, that can be your premise. But what follows is a rationalization of our defenceman in the next two seasons.

Look deeper at this. Murphy and Kempny need to become solid second pair worthy. I think one of them falls to third pair, and Ruuta is your future second pair.

Ask yourself this (Because future plans scenario is what GM's do and you bet Bowman has done this already): can you reasonably expect each of these develops nicely to become solid #2 or #3 pair guys (Forsling, Ruuta, Kempny, Murphy).

You need a strong proof or conviction after this upcoming season on them.

Because by that time Snuggerud will probably become your third pair offensive guy. Oesterle is a depth guy. Pokka is a mystery, probably a depth guy whom one year may have a ceiliing as a reliable third pair puck mover. Pokka sours when compared to the offensive contribution a Snuggerud or, one day, Krys/Jokipara has in a third pair. I dk if Gus ever plays as anything other than third pair, and may be on another team. He is just a pretzel strong defender who won't/cannot stand up against physically stronger - which is everyone else.

Now is when it gets interesting. Will or can a Krys or Press type who sticks after that. Or Jokipara and or even that Finnish dman perhaps if he develops and is really good. Why. Because in our top six D we need to add a dman who can really skate the puck and just move the puck out. Keith can do that now but he is long in the tooth and all teams dream and aim to have preferably two of those offensive type.

This is the trend, this is what you are going to see develop even this year in the league. An example is Ottawa with Karlsson and Chabot. Even just very gifted offensive dman like Penguins have Letang and Schultz.
Plus Maata if he remains healthy - he can be good.

Moving the puck from your defence is a big deal. I am anxious to see how many of our guys pan out. Any dman we trade for therefore is just a temporary fill in veteran.

If you want quick answers on our defensemen, do not expect that. Samuelson and a good coach in Rockford help develop kids and then Q and Bowman make decisions.

Interestingly enough we are so loaded with fair to middling prospects- and perhaps some blue chip prospects as well. Haven't even considered if a Norell or Dahlstrom develop. Then too I completely left L Carlsson and others out of this discussion.

I like what Ulfie said yesterday before the 3rd period - Something to the effect 'You have to live with mistakes' when talking about young defenders. It will be interesting to see how that plays out during the season. We know what Q's reaction is to mistakes by young players, will Ulfie have some pull on this or not.

I like what Ulfie said yesterday before the 3rd period - Something to the effect 'You have to live with mistakes' when talking about young defenders. It will be interesting to see how that plays out during the season. We know what Q's reaction is to mistakes by young players, will Ulfie have some pull on this or not.
- powerenforcer

Thank you for sharing that quote from Ulf. I do recall a recent quote from Q about a mistake a prospect made and I was surprised that Q seemed more willing to let the youngsters make mistakes and play through them so they can learn and improve. Hopefully those quotes share a common thread.