John Jaeckel: It is what it is

Last!

Let's be patient.

Let's be patient.
- Drgonzo399

There's no choice.

So in your opinion, or if you were the gm what would you do?in terms of trades or possible prospects being called up? John

And John in your opinion, would Chicago have the pieces for jvr?cause toronto could retain salery

And John in your opinion, would Chicago have the pieces for jvr?cause toronto could retain salery
- MR.Hunter

Despite it making tons of sense to sell high, I can't image Toronto dealing JVR this season.

I think it could happen in the summer but would need to have an NHL defenseman coming back the other way. Either for JVR straight up for JVR+

And John in your opinion, would Chicago have the pieces for jvr?cause toronto could retain salery
- MR.Hunter

Prior to the last two games, my belief (based on some rings I've heard) is they would deal a young defenseman—more likely TVR, less likely Kempny or Forsling—and a young forward (Motte or Schmaltz) for a LW. Could still happen.

And if that brought back a T6 LW with some decent cost-certainty, they might well do it.

But a rental is looking more and more like throwing good money after bad.

So I could also see them doing nothing.

Have you heard any Vanek rumours JJ?

Prior to the last two games, my belief (based on some rings I've heard) is they would deal a young defenseman—more likely TVR, less likely Kempny or Forsling—and a young forward (Motte or Schmaltz) for a LW. Could still happen.

And if that brought back a T6 LW with some decent cost-certainty, they might well do it.

But a rental is looking more and more like throwing good money after bad.

So I could also see them doing nothing.
- John Jaeckel

I would hope the Leafs wouldn't do JVR for TVR.

the league is starting to enter a new era, especially with the expansion of Vegas. personally, I feel comfortable with 3 Cups and would like to see the hawks save their assets and prepare for the future rather than trying to go all in, protect "the brand", and hemorrhage future success. even though they lost yesterday, they were still able to entertain the crowd especially with the performance Kane showed us. The brand shouldn't be exclusively tied to how many conference finals or cups the team is in. we all know the holes in the roster are too many and deep to be quickly fixed with trade deadline acquisitions and it won't set up the team in the longterm. I get that the front office really wants to win back to back stanley cups, so in my opinion you go and try to build a roster that will give you 2-3 years of legit chances of doing that at a time. after those stretches you need to pull back and restock. i don't blame them for last year's gambles (they really want to win back to back). But now, especially with the resigning of Panarin, they need to do everything they can to develop the young guys, save their assets, and make a legit push in 2018 and 2019. ok rant over.

Transition year might not be the worst of things. Lose the money or add the people you may need in the summer and come back with a vengeance when everyone is rested and recovered. May not be a bad thing now that some of the rookies are learning and maturing.

Great blog John.

Have you heard any Vanek rumours JJ?
- Garnie

Yes

The West is weaker this year. Minnesota is the best right now, but I would give the Hawks a decent chance in a 7 game series against them even without the home ice advantage. If the Hawks finish 2nd in the Division they may not even face Minnesota. You never know. The other contenders in the West will probably add people at or before the deadline, but will the players they add be impact players? I would move Hartmann to the top line with Toews and Hossa. I would not give up a 1st round pick or an "A" level prospect for a rental like Vanek. I would rather keep my assets and then see what we look like after the expansion draft, draft, and trading a core player or two for cap purposes. If we get knocked out in the 1st round so be it.

I would hope the Leafs wouldn't do JVR for TVR.
- Garnie

If I were a leaf fan, I would share that hope.

Note I said the Hawks would like to deal TVR AND a forward. But it could take more as far as a d-man included.

TVR does some things well. He's just limited in my book and he has to play smart every shift or he is a liability.

The West is weaker this year. Minnesota is the best right now, but I would give the Hawks a decent chance in a 7 game series against them even without the home ice advantage. If the Hawks finish 2nd in the Division they may not even face Minnesota. You never know. The other contenders in the West will probably add people at or before the deadline, but will the players they add be impact players? I would move Hartmann to the top line with Toews and Hossa. I would not give up a 1st round pick or an "A" level prospect for a rental like Vanek. I would rather keep my assets and then see what we look like after the expansion draft, draft, and trading a core player or two for cap purposes. If we get knocked out in the 1st round so be it.
- -Doh-

Meh, yeah, that's pretty much how I feel but neither Hartman (inflated numbers) nor Hinostroza are top 6 wingers long term on a good team. Fill in guys, like Shaw was? Sure.

Transition year might not be the worst of things. Lose the money or add the people you may need in the summer and come back with a vengeance when everyone is rested and recovered. May not be a bad thing now that some of the rookies are learning and maturing.

Great blog John.
- 93Joe

Thx Joe

Side note (a little off topic) - rewatch Minny's 3rd goal last night. To me it looked like TVR forgot that he was playing on the left side last night (which is a change for him). He went to the right defenseman's spot. I thought the Hawks played Minny fairly even and although Minny is definitely playing better right now I think the Hawks would have a decent chance in a 7 game series, with or without home ice. One of the strengths of the Hawks is that the farther a series goes the more they figure out how to beat the opponent.

Better hurry up and trade for Vanek before the price becomes a 1st and DeBrincat.

If I were a leaf fan, I would share that hope.

Note I said the Hawks would like to deal TVR AND a forward. But it could take more as far as a d-man included.

TVR does some things well. He's just limited in my book and he has to play smart every shift or he is a liability.
- John Jaeckel

Yes I realize you included more...just think the Leafs need more than TVR if shipping JVR out...I have no idea who they could get for him++. I'd rather see us keep him and add a smaller piece like TVR for a pick/prospect.

Russian Prospects @RUSProspects
31m

According to @championat,#Blackhawks director of player evaluation Barry Smith was at recent KHL games in which Shalunov and Tkachyov played

If I were a leaf fan, I would share that hope.

Note I said the Hawks would like to deal TVR AND a forward. But it could take more as far as a d-man included.

TVR does some things well. He's just limited in my book and he has to play smart every shift or he is a liability.
- John Jaeckel

You probably are!!!!

Meh, yeah, that's pretty much how I feel but neither Hartman (inflated numbers) nor Hinostroza are top 6 wingers long term on a good team. Fill in guys, like Shaw was? Sure.
- John Jaeckel

Good post by the way John. I think Hartmann is much better than Hino at this point, and a much better fit on the top line. Is Hartmann good enough to make a big difference? Probably not. Is Hartmann a quality 2LW right now? Probably not. But I would give him a 15 games straight on that line. I think their production would pick up.

Really would love to see StanBo make a push for JVR over Vanek.

If he could pull off packaging TVR and a prospect F for JVR, sign me up.

While I personally do like Vanek a lot skill wise, I just have a tough time thinking he can play at the pace that the Hawks do. During his stint in Minny he played on a fast team and he barely cracked the 20 goal plateau. Granted when he did play here on LI with Tavares his stats reflected potential to crack 30, I still feel that he just would not be able to keep pace on any Hawks line.

JVR could also somehow be a potential keeper in the long run (reaching here, I know) but he also plays a very solid 2way game. JVR-Toews-Hossa line would be one tough top F pair to go against from both ends of the ice.

Really would love to see StanBo make a push for JVR over Vanek.

If he could pull off packaging TVR and a prospect F for JVR, sign me up.

While I personally do like Vanek a lot skill wise, I just have a tough time thinking he can play at the pace that the Hawks do. During his stint in Minny he played on a fast team and he barely cracked the 20 goal plateau. Granted when he did play here on LI with Tavares his stats reflected potential to crack 30, I still feel that he just would not be able to keep pace on any Hawks line.

JVR could also somehow be a potential keeper in the long run (reaching here, I know) but he also plays a very solid 2way game. JVR-Toews-Hossa line would be one tough top F pair to go against from both ends of the ice.
- purepone

If you can work Niklas Hjalmarsson into a JVR deal you may be on to something.