I really hope we trade AA. I am a bigger fan of his than most on this board. But I think he is exactly what a trade deadline team wants for playoff hockey. Center, size, experience, stability. Net front presence. He would be a very positive upgrade for about any playoff teams 3rd line. I can't imagine he has less value than a Weiss trade from two years ago, or some of the trades we've made at the deadline in our playoff runs where we traded lots for sthe playoff upgrade. Make it happen, Stan. - Cmonalready
Agreed, he's a decent value for a 3C at $4M, but he's never getting better and in my opinion he's a proven non-winner. He'll never top 40 points again, and is a bit of a passenger.
Duclair would have to pass through waivers to be sent to Rockford.
I'm ok with Duclair getting a one year contract for next season, I view him along the same lines as Jurco. I have no expectations but it doesn't hurt to keep him around in the short term to see if he works out. Given the Hawks cap situation its a good move to take a chance on guys like Duclair, plus they unloaded Panik's contract. - DarthKane
Why worry about losing Duclair to a waiver claim? Nobody in the entire league had any interest in trading for him until Stanbo came along with his Panik offer, mainly because he doesn't do anything out there. Send him down to Rockford after the TDL and play him 20 minutes a night to find out if he's worth qualifying as an RFQ. Like I said earlier, he 's running out of NHL chances.
Why worry about losing Duclair to a waiver claim? Nobody in the entire league had any interest in trading for him until Stanbo came along with his Panik offer, mainly because he doesn't do anything out there. Send him down to Rockford after the TDL and play him 20 minutes a night to find out if he's worth qualifying as an RFQ. Like I said earlier, he 's running out of NHL chances. - RickJ
There is a difference between giving up an asset and just outright claiming him. (especially if someone gets hurt and he can fill a spot for team in need.)
It would be, not impossible, but highly unlikely that Duclair would go unclaimed.
Why worry about losing Duclair to a waiver claim? Nobody in the entire league had any interest in trading for him until Stanbo came along with his Panik offer, mainly because he doesn't do anything out there. Send him down to Rockford after the TDL and play him 20 minutes a night to find out if he's worth qualifying as an RFQ. Like I said earlier, he 's running out of NHL chances. - RickJ
We don’t actually know that, all we really know is:
Coyotes general manager John Chayka said. "We worked through some things, tried a lot of different approaches in a lot of different ways. As things seemed to evolve, it kept coming back that it was probably best for a change of scenery for both sides. So, I've been trying to find a fit that made sense for Anthony and made sense for us. I felt this was our best opportunity.
I agree. If they have a healthy Crow and can add a top pairing defender and the young players continue to progress this team is not terrible. As awful as the D and goaltending has been the Hawks are 16th in goals allowed. If they stop 10 more goals over 60 games they are in the top 10 in goals allowed. As young as their forwards are they are 18th in goals scored. If they had 10 more goals over 60 games they would be in the top 10 in scoring. Goaltending and D impacts both goals scored and goals against. The difference between winning and losing in this league is razor thin. Small changes can make major impacts. - -Doh-
I am a big fan of Crawford. Think he’s been a great goalie for this team and under appreciated by many fans and people on this blog.
Looking to next year, however, I would be very concerned about the Hawks’ goaltending situation. I might be thinking anecdotally, but I don’t think Crawford has played more than one year without injury during the last three or four years. His supposed concussion events ( I believe that are real) have to be raising some flags in the front office. Everything I’ve read over the last several years is that having concussions makes future concussions more likely and more severe.
I agree with those on this board who say he should be shutdown for the rest of the year. There is nothing to be gaining by depriving him of a lengthy recovery time. But I wouldn’t plan for next year without having a very solid backup capable of coming in and playing about half the games.
There is a difference between giving up an asset and just outright claiming him. (especially if someone gets hurt and he can fill a spot for team in need.)
It would be, not impossible, but highly unlikely that Duclair would go unclaimed. - gnosox1986
We"ll never know unless the Hawks expose him to waivers by trying to send him down. Unless it is a bottom feeder team, doubt he is of much interest around the league, particularly since he has to be qualified as an RFA in the summer.
Good post. I'm cautiously optimistic and think the Hawks have a decent nucleus to start from.
The Hawks need a stable RW to play with Toews and Saad. They could fill this position internally with possible options as Hayden, Sikura, or DeBrincat.
If Schmaltz stays at 2C, then 3C could be Anisimov. But if he's traded, then I'd think the Hawks would need to acquire one who can play a 200-foot game, relentless motor, and tough to play against. Highmore fits that description but not sure if he's ready or even suited to be anything above 4C. Kampf is already at 4C and I wouldn't want the bottom-6 centers to be filled by rookies.
Biggest need is on defense since I don't think that can be filled internally given the need for experienced blueliners who can play defense first, take the body, and hang back allowing a puck-moving D partner to wheel and deal. No one like that in the system.
Build out from Keith, Seabrook, Murphy (assuming he's still with the team), and Forsling which leaves 2 spots up for grabs. I imagine Oesterle will make the team if Q is still coach. That's fine as long as he's on 3rd pair (a) with a stay-at-home partner, and (b) the starting defense also doesn't include similar players as him like Gustafsson, Rutta, and Dahlstrom. - AEL_Fox
Thanks. My thought IF the Hawks can get some luck and somehow move up in the Draft Lottery (come on NHL you've screwed us over the years throw us a bone ) to get Brady Tkachuk (and he's NHL ready) it could help add some much needed grit to this team. Maybe work a trade of Murphy and Hartman for Smith and Ceci with OTT, trade Wingels for a pick and resign him we could roll with a lineup like this next year...
That gives the team four pretty good lines with some grit spread throughout the lineup. Opens up for a possible trade of AA at some point IF Kampf and Smith both look good and you feel comfortable rolling with them as the 3rd and 4th line Centers. It could return us a Top 4 D-Man which would cover the FA signing. That's a team that could be very competitive next season. Idk we'll have to see how things fall over the next few months. There are some reasons to stay optimistic for this team going forward.
So Gubr is 3 years at $4mil. Bowman traded for Murpy with 4 more years after this year at $3.85mil. At those prices who would you rather have. (and neither is not an answer).
We"ll never know unless the Hawks expose him to waivers by trying to send him down. Unless it is a bottom feeder team, doubt he is of much interest around the league, particularly since he has to be qualified as an RFA in the summer. - RickJ
Thats right that we will likely never know...
I just personally believe its a hard idea to believe that a team like NJ or CLB or CAR, who are fighting for position in the east east wouldn't take a shot on him, at no cost of losing an asset like a pick. All have cap space to take on 1.2M.
I just personally believe its a hard idea to believe that a team like NJ or CLB or CAR, who are fighting for position in the east east wouldn't take a shot on him, at no cost of losing an asset like a pick. All have cap space to take on 1.2M. - gnosox1986
Also it does not make sense to waive him. If they trade one or more of AA, Sharp, Wingels, Bouma, Hartman there will be plenty of ice time for DuClair. Then the Hawks can really see what they have. If they like it they try to sign him. If not someone else sign him and the Hawks could pick up a 3rd round pick (If he signs for at least $1.3mil) or better if he signs for at least $2mil. (He is making $1.2mil now.)
Agreed, he's a decent value for a 3C at $4M, but he's never getting better and in my opinion he's a proven non-winner. He'll never top 40 points again, and is a bit of a passenger. - ObeseOprah
Why wouldn't he? He's been about a .5 PPG plaer wherever he's been.
Why wouldn't he? He's been about a .5 PPG plaer wherever he's been. - HawkintheD
In the past he had some touch to his game, Scored some on his own, made some nice passes.
.At this stage, he doesnt drive the offense on his own. To get 40 points, he needs Kane sniping and him getting 2nd assists (hence the passenger comment).
He's still a nice player, and has value, but he will be more a 30 points player, lucking into points rather than a true offensive threat. I'd wish him the best and move him to a team that can use him.
Several lottery teams involved in games today. Too bad none are playing each other. I would think they are underdogs in all the games, but hopefully we get an upset or two.
) to get Brady Tkachuk (and he's NHL ready) it could help add some much needed grit to this team. Maybe work a trade of Murphy and Hartman for Smith and Ceci with OTT, trade Wingels for a pick and resign him we could roll with a lineup like this next year...
