On another note, Toews and Saad combined for 9 shots last night, MORE than any other center/wing combination. yet neither had a single point. It has been a lot like that much of the year, very snake bitten. These types of lulls do not last....I really think both will rebound big time next year.
- kwolf68

Something I thought about a lot this year and last night again. When Toews took a couple very dangerous wrist shots and just missed, it has been the story of the season for him. Those wrist shots from 15-20 feet out have not been finding a way to beat goalies...kinda like Hossa from 2015-16.

Apparently San Jose has asked Joel Ward to submit his no trade list. He is a UFA with a $3.275M cap hit. They just played the Hawks. Could something be happening here? Wingels back to the Sharks?

Further on Joel Ward. He is 37, having an off year, and is currently on IR. This looks like the type of salary dump Bowman needs to jump on. He can do it without a Crawford LTIR.

If Stan gets fleeced at this deadline, he should immediately be fired.

If Stan gets fleeced at this deadline, he should immediately be fired.
- BobP.

Absolutely. The ball is in his court now. Show us your stuff Stan!

Yes, yes you will.
- Justin Lowe

I hope so he's a solid forward

I hope so he's a solid forward
- BetweenTheDots

Agree, but I've got no issue with him being sent down and allowed to play bigger mins in all situations at RFD.

If Stan gets fleeced at this deadline, he should immediately be fired.
- BobP.

"We like our team"

Absolutely. The ball is in his court now. Show us your stuff Stan!
- 67hawks

I won't let you down guys!

"We like our team"
- EnzoD

I really need a new head shot. Heading to Sears at 2 for my appointment

If Stan gets fleeced at this deadline, he should immediately be fired.
- BobP.

I'd move a step past that and say if he does nothing he should also go. Lost seasons are amazing opportunities for a team like the hawks. You don't want them, but missing the boat on getting picks and prospects is worse.

I don't care if Bowman misses on the biggest salary dump, as long as he collects something of value. Given the current LTIR situation, where you can't LTIR between seasons, young players are how this team rebuilds. They simply do not have the ability to capitalize during free agency.

(Unless a player is willing to sign in season, which would be nuts)

Apparently San Jose has asked Joel Ward to submit his no trade list. He is a UFA with a $3.275M cap hit. They just played the Hawks. Could something be happening here? Wingels back to the Sharks?
- 67hawks

Would Ward be a player the Hawks might want to stay around the facility to mentor young players? This might be an aspect of how the Hawks evaluate which player's contracts to eat.

Something I thought about a lot this year and last night again. When Toews took a couple very dangerous wrist shots and just missed, it has been the story of the season for him. Those wrist shots from 15-20 feet out have not been finding a way to beat goalies...kinda like Hossa from 2015-16.
- breadbag

Toews has looked better lately, mid season has avoided playing inside the dots, but is beginning to go to the scoring areas once again. Theory is when he's playing in pain avoids those areas and as soon as he starts feeling better becomes a bit more aggressive and goes to those hard to play against areas. The funny thing is as soon as Toews line starts playing better Kanes line starts producing points?

That is the way you and I may think but it has been proven that Stan is a terrible GM and every other GM in the league knows Stan is a terrible negotiator. He has gotten fleeced on 75-80% of the deals he has made. Even the hawks players agents know Stan and this front office does everything by committee and they will give in. ( Just look at every contract given 15-25% over ) So I do not have much confidence if the Hawks trade AA to Columbus, Philly or another team that the Hawks get a good deal.
- Rayipsd

Yep he's so terrible, that he signed the correct players to contracts, "the core" and traded away so many players after the 2010 team I believe only 9 remained out of 20. I mean the idiot let Niemi walk and matched Hjalmarssons offer sheet, he's so dumb that his bull poop moves only gave us 2 more Stanley Cups instead of winning 8 in a row I mean yeah WTF

Wennberg is a good center, but pretty much a (much) younger AA. So bringing on AA would give CBJ center depth, but similar players. Why trade for something we already have ?? Plus we also have DuBois @ #1 center, and Dubinsky at #3 center. None of them are really dynamic in driving play. Hopefully DuBois becomes that in a couple of years, we'll see.
- birdie03

Thanks for the Columbus perspective. On paper you have great center depth with Wennberg, DuBois, Dubinsky, and whoever is your 4C. I agree, adding a center like Anisimov would improve your depth.

Would Ward be a player the Hawks might want to stay around the facility to mentor young players? This might be an aspect of how the Hawks evaluate which player's contracts to eat.
- TexasHawk

Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Kane - supposedly leaders all - I think there are enough mentors on the roster now - and almost certainly into next year.

If Stan gets fleeced at this deadline, he should immediately be fired.
- BobP.

He should get fired regardless what he does between now and Monday.

Islanders send a 2019 3rd round pick to the Oilers for defenseman Brandon Davidson. Oilers claimed Davidson off waivers from the Canadiens earlier this season.

He should get fired regardless what he does between now and Monday.
- tompo1015

What if he trades Seabrook+++ for Erik Karlsson??

He should get fired regardless what he does between now and Monday.
- tompo1015

Yes let's get Dale back. We need a GM with a history of hitting big on first rounders when picking outside the top 5.

Justin, I've felt for weeks that Toronto will make a play for Duncan Keith. Seems like the guy that would command the biggest haul, and this is a from a dad whose first born son is named "Duncan"!

Not a cap guy, but would think something like this would work:

TOR>Keith
CHI>$$$UFA-to-be, bottom-pair cost controlled D, cost-controlled high upside F prospect, 1st pick & other pick

Justin, I've felt for weeks that Toronto will make a play for Duncan Keith. Seems like the guy that would command the biggest haul, and this is a from a dad whose first born son is named "Duncan"!

Not a cap guy, but would think something like this would work:

TOR>Keith
CHI>$$$UFA-to-be, bottom-pair cost controlled D, cost-controlled high upside F prospect, 1st pick & other pick
- phantasmo

yessssssssss.

5.5m hit , Cold fetch multiple #1s and a very good D prospect.

yessssssssss.

5.5m hit , Cold fetch multiple #1s and a very good D prospect.
- mrpaulish

Q would implode if Keith was traded. IMPLODE!

yessssssssss.

5.5m hit , Cold fetch multiple #1s and a very good D prospect.
- mrpaulish

And as a career-long Keith fan, I feel like the last two years of his "prime" should not be wasted playing with Jordan Effing Oesterle or whatever traffic cone they stick next to him. Give him a shot to put someone over the top and knock off the Pens!

I agree. Wingels has given that line some life. But my guess is that today is his last game as a Hawk (this year). When he is traded I would think they try DuClair or DeBrincat.

Interesting side note - If you look at the Hockey Reference website it only lists Kane, Wingels and Debrincat as RW's on the Blackhawks. If you look at the Ice Hogs website they do not list any RW's (8 LW's and 5 C's)
- -Doh-

DeBrincat is actually a LW who shoots right just like Kane is a RW who shoots left. So these lists can be misleading. Personally I like forwards playing their off-wings, especially if they have offensive ability - with D-Men on their natural wings.