Anyone mentioning Kopitar might as well throw out Crosby or Malkin...

Unbelievable....
- TrueGrit

Isn't that what "aiming big" or "swinging for the fences on some big name players" mean? To get that unrealistic and unbelievable player?

Of course I am with you, those guys are... impossible to get (I don't put Kopitar in the same group of Crosby, Malkin or Stamkos type of players but I understand your thinking).
But, just because I think I was the one that came up with the name of Kopitar in the other thread let me explain my line of thought.

1) JJ said "Just heard: a team has approached the Hawks about a very good, productive 2nd line C (for the Hawks, 1st line on many teams), awaiting more details"
Why would team that is selling, on a seller's market, approach another one to sell a very good C? For example, why would Columbus phone Chicago trying to pinch Brassard when everyone knows they are trying to rebuild? The same can be said about Dallas and Ribeiro.
Stastny is a good name but the Avalanche would want money going the other way because even with new contracts coming for next season they have to reach a cap floor. Why overpay for new players when you know what you get in Stastny?
So for me that leaves out teams selling and on rebuilding mode out of the picture.

2) There is the all Nash and Carter situation out there atm. I am not sure about Nash but I really think that Carter is going to get trade during the next week. So the team that gets Carter probably needs to solve their center and money situation. Don't know really how many teams out there want Carter and that contract.

3) About LA. A couple of days ago Darryl Sutter came out and ripped Kopitar (and Brown) saying he hasn't done much in the last six weeks. I just watched LA lose to the Avalanche and they look terrible. They're already on their 2nd coach so I am guessing now it's the players time to change... They will trade someone.

4) So here is how you come to a blockbuster deal
LA wants Carter
Columbus wants Bernier and Jack Johnson
LA can't stay with Richards, Carter and Kopitar and just lost a good young Def
LA calls Chicago offering Kopitar and wanting in return... Leddy.
(plus picks, prospects, players... whatever... in all the transactions)


But I am with you... Unbelievable.
The basic obj of saying Kopitar's name was just because I think that the player is from a team that wants Carter and not from a team that is selling or rebuilding. For example, I didn't think of Plekanec but it follows the same line of thought so I like it as a possible option.
And before someone calls me crazy for trading Leddy, JJ has Leddy picture on this blog and wrote:
"I will also add that the names I heard being offered suggest the Hawks have no sacred cows (beyond the core)"

P.S. - And i just lost 20 mins writing a post that i don't give much credit... damn!

Like I said, I don't think it's Chicago because Bowman likely wouldn't give up his 1st round pick for strictly a rental. My guess is he would chase hard any of Weiss, Brooks Laich, Plekanec, Nik Antropov, Bressard, Derek Roy or even Eric Staal (believe it or not) before that.

Brian Burke is in a sticky situation with Grabovski/
- RickJ

Eric Staal is a great player but I can't see Bowman bringing in anyone who currently has a higher cap hit than anyone else on the team.

don't know if i want another rooskie, they have a tendancy to dissappear once they feel "comfortable", remember all the "ov's"& "ev's",we had, mironov,shazamnov,karpotsev,korolev,(god rest their souls), no, no no, no!
on the toronto kid,and besides, is he another "mighty mite"? 5'9,180 bow crap?,that seems to be what stan finds!!, i'm talking , 6'3, 6'4, 220 & up with some red ass! there's a couple out there that could be available without giving up either of the hayes's or mark mcneill ! who's left on the D out there?
i'm liking dylan olsen's play also! maybe a guy like erskine? huh?also without having to give up the farm? iknow their saying lydman, thats good if it happens!
not gonna cry over, pirri, smith, morin if they are dealt! good players but you can draft smurfs alot easier than you can find a guy like the staal's ,carter, gausted ect!

It seems quite obvious the C that is referred to here is Stephen Weiss..

Eric Staal is a great player but I can't see Bowman bringing in anyone who currently has a higher cap hit than anyone else on the team.
- pri$ey

You make an excellent point but ultimately I don't think that would be a stumbling block if everybody was on board that a player like him sets them up as a favourite to go all the way. McDonough would find a way to compensate the other guys off the hockey books - commercials, appearance fees, whatever.

Could you imagine Toews, Staal, Bolland and Kruger down the middle of the ice. Detroit, Vancouver, Nashville and St.Louis would not like that very much.

Much better than rolling the dice with a player like Grabovski who has never won squat and will be looking for $5M a year. Russian/Belorusian whatever, I don't want those type of players off the Toronto Maple Losers.

Brooks Laich? Who knows, the Caps look like they are ready to implode. Might just be available.

don't know if i want another rooskie, they have a tendancy to dissappear once they feel "comfortable", remember all the "ov's"& "ev's",we had, mironov,shazamnov,karpotsev,korolev,(god rest their souls), no, no no, no! on the toronto kid,and besides, is he another "mighty mite"? 5'9,180 bow crap?,that seems to be what stan finds!!, i'm talking , 6'3, 6'4, 220 & up with some red ass! there's a couple out there that could be available without giving up either of the hayes's or mark mcneill ! who's left on the D out there?
i'm liking dylan olsen's play also! maybe a guy like erskine? huh?also without having to give up the farm? iknow their saying lydman, thats good if it happens!
not gonna cry over, pirri, smith, morin if they are dealt! good players but you can draft smurfs alot easier than you can find a guy like the staal's ,carter, gausted ect!
- wonthecup10

This is the only rule to follow with Russian players - if the name is not Datsyuk or Malkin, you don't want any of them, avoid at all costs.

Did you see Ovechkin's body language in the Monday night game vs Carolina? Tells you all you need to know.

Chicago is deep at center......if they acquire Grabo or another 2'liner expect one or two to go back in a trade......especially if the player has a couple of more years left or they intend to lock him up for 3 years after this season.....hypothetically.....1(Toews) 2 ( Acquired player) 3 (Bolland) 4(Maybe Mayers again next year) That means there is not a lot room for the following......Kruger, Pirri, Smith, Danault, McNeil, Hayes.....etc.
- UnnamedSource

What ?!?!? Yeah, maybe in 2-3 seasons, maybe... but not nearly enough now.

It seems quite obvious the C that is referred to here is Stephen Weiss..
- Marinus1103

Really? Weiss plays second line center on his team?

Quiet??? Have ya heard the planes?
- UnnamedSource

Thats nothing compared to downtown.

This is the only rule to follow with Russian players - if the name is not Datsyuk or Malkin, you don't want any of them, avoid at all costs.

Did you see Ovechkin's body language in the Monday night game vs Carolina? Tells you all you need to know.
- RickJ

+ ∞ !!!

I really like Gravos game from Toronto. Maybe more affordable for the Hawks as a rental.

I really like Gravos game from Toronto. Maybe more affordable for the Hawks as a rental.
- mrpaulish

Gotta wonder now ... reading a bit into JJ's blog that if they ARE going to take on some salary after this season. Maybe rental's are not the only acquisition(s).

It seems quite obvious the C that is referred to here is Stephen Weiss..
- Marinus1103

Doesn't seem like "swinging for the fences" as JJ put it. More like a "doubles hitter" to me. Getzlaf is "hitting the long-ball".

What ?!?!? Yeah, maybe in 2-3 seasons, maybe... but not nearly enough now.
- blackhawk24

That was the whole point....glad you're following.