The All-Star festivities have wrapped up and the Blackhawks get back to work – well kind of. They are actually off until Friday as they entire their "off-week".
Patrick Kane was the lone representative in San Jose and it looked like fun was had by all.
Who watched the game? The Skills Competition? If you watched it, what were your thoughts?
If you didn't get a chance to read and disagree with my trade proposals, please have a look HERE.
My last blog was sure to evoke some emotion and it sure did. There were a couple reasons for me to hit publish on my "Fun with Trade Proposals" blog on Friday and none of them revolved around making people angry about which prospects I included.
The main reason was to answer questions from a lot of you on the message boards about who the Hawks could/would trade for. Therefore, there were players in there that you wanted to see the Hawks trade for that I could not see them acquiring (at this time) or someone I personally wouldn't want on the team, however, I still included them because it was all just for fun.
Another reason for a blog like that is to manage expectations. As the trade deadline approaches, I cringe at the thought of someone out there thinking Chris Kunitz is going to net you a 2nd round pick. Chances are, Kunitz won't be moved at all due to his NMC (note: this is merely a dramatic example, I know you are all smarter than this.).
Every fan tends to overall value their own players, but the reality is you have to give to get and there are well-paid scouts that are employed by all teams and they know your crappy players are... well, crappy.
While I think Bowman is going to be an active seller I am not so sure there are going to be any blockbusters. I can see guys like Keith or Saad getting moved but my feeling is that the Hawks will wait until the summer to make moves of that magnitude.
Unfortunately, if you hate talking about trades, I have some bad news. I will be talking more and more about it as the deadline nears. Instead of trade proposals though, I'll be looking at potential trading partners and the "types" of players I'd like to see the Hawks go after. I will, of course, also let you know if I hear any whispers along the way.
I'm doing this because this is the first year in over a decade that the Hawks are true sellers at teh trade deadline. This is shaping up to be an extremely vital 6 months for this organization as they look to reshape this team for the future.
Speaking of trades, Stan pulled off a minor trade acquiring Dominik Kubalik from the LA Kings for a 5th round pick in 2019.
I was told to keep an eye out for the Hawks scouting ramping up overseas and maybe this was a result of that.
A 5th rounder is nothing to give up for an older, more established player that the Hawks clearly see something in. Kubalik, is a former 7th round pick of LA in 2013. Here is a snapshot (Courtesy: CapFriendly) of the 23-years old Czech:
Kubalik is currently leading Switzerland's top league (NLA), 44 points (19 G, 25 A) in 28 games. Word is that the Kings had no intention of signing him. Why? I have no idea, but he fits the trend of some recent Hawks picks and acquisitions (Kahun, Kurashev, Kampf, Rutta, Kempny) and HOLY… his name starts with a "K".
Here are some highlights I dug up from YouTube (Courtesy: HCAP Supporter):
Fun fact, Kubalik spent some time in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves and was teammates with Dominik Kahun. Stan maybe looking to regain some chemistry there? We won't know for a while, first he would need a contract (I suspect that is coming soon) and then, Kubalik won't be back over to North American until after his season with AC Ambri-Piotta is over or possibly next year for training camp.
Outside of this move, I'm sure Stan Bowman would have been working hard this weekend spilling over into this week. Keep your ear out for trade whispers around the league this week.
Finally, the Rockford IceHogs actually won some games. They were on quite a losing streak right now and I have been hearing that changes could be coming on the farm. They did win both games over the weekend with a nice come from behind win (4-3 OT) vs. Manitoba and a 3-1 win against Iowa. They still sit near the bottom of the Central Division with 46 points.
I'll be back this week with a couple more blogs before Friday's game vs. the Sabres.
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