That would be a huge overpayment for a guy with maybe two good years left in the tank.
- fvineze

We lose our first round pick, this year, which is a terrible draft. Lose Leddy or Bickell who are probably going to need to get moved because they dont play to their contract (in Bickell's case) or are set to be a RFA with a pay increase (probably going to have to unload him anyway in Leddy). Then lose a B to C level prospect.

We then would have to trade sharp and could get either a high quality prospect that is about to hit the NHL or multiple top draft picks/prospects that have a couple years to develop with big upside.

Blackhawks doesn´t have to be deperate to get Kesler. Offer them Leddy + 1st´14 and one of these; Hartman, Danault or McNeill or Leddy, Bickell and 3rd round pick´14. And if it´s not enough then move on. They shouldn´t give their best prospect Teräväinen for a two year rental player.

There is going to be (again) lot of disappointed and maybe angry fans if Kesler ain´t coming to Chicago. But it is not the end of the world. Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don´t make. Of course Hawks need to add in center but they can make this team better in lot of different ways that serves organisation going forward in short and long term.
- MjulQvist

they need to trade... Just maybe not this trade, and certainly not overpay - Danault, mcNeil, or Hartman would be overpaying,.

they need to trade... Just maybe not this trade, and certainly not overpay - Danault, mcNeil, Hartman would be overpaying,.
- fvineze

Yes they do. I meant one of those three not all of them with Leddy+1st´14. There are people who are ok with Leddy+TT+1st and that´s overpaying imo. Teräväinen has much more upside than Danault, McNeill or Hartman.

I think the TT upside potential is too high to not give him a year. Trading him without would be big mistake

I really don't get the drool fest over Kesler. The returns people are talking about on here are crazy.

And the goof who compared him as "offensively similar" to Spezza is out to lunch

Kessler- 0.59 PPg reg season, 0.67 PPg playoffs
Spezza- 1 PPg reg season, 0.97 playoffs

And they've played relatively the same amount of games in both reg season and playoffs, and have missed almost the same amount of game due to injury.

And spezza appears to be a better character guy, if you believe the rumours about Kesler being a Richard in the room and to the media.

If our owner wasn't a broke bastard refusing to spend money to make the team better Spezza wouldn't be available. He shouldn't be available.

He's going to send one team over the top. Thinking about him playing with Kane should give other teams shivers. That would be a completely ridiculous top 6.

Kesler is this years Clarkson.
- Jordo

Reasons Hawks like Kesler more than Spezza:

1) he is 2 million per year cheaper (Hawks are always close to the cap and that could be two bottom 6 guys).


2) Kesler will hit people: he had 133 hits while Spezza had 17.

Besides for those two reasons they are very similar but the Hawks need guys that will hit and have a cheaper salary

Reasons Hawks like Kesler more than Spezza:

1) he is 2 million per year cheaper (Hawks are always close to the cap and that could be two bottom 6 guys).


2) Kesler will hit people: he had 133 hits while Spezza had 17.

Besides for those two reasons they are very similar but the Hawks need guys that will hit and have a cheaper salary
- BearsnHawks

Reasons Hawks like Kesler more than Spezza:

1) he is 2 million per year cheaper (Hawks are always close to the cap and that could be two bottom 6 guys).


2) Kesler will hit people: he had 133 hits while Spezza had 17.

Besides for those two reasons they are very similar but the Hawks need guys that will hit and have a cheaper salary
- BearsnHawks

+ Kesler plays d too.

That would be a huge overpayment for a guy with maybe two good years left in the tank.
- fvineze

That's an amazing crystal ball you're reading there.

How many years does Hossa have left?

Happy Kesler day people.....

I think the TT upside potential is too high to not give him a year. Trading him without would be big mistake
- fvineze

The mistake would be not ensuring the Hawks have a solid mix and depth of players to try be as competative as they can be right now. If TT isn't ready to contribute NOW and giving up TT ensures that the team gets stronger then he is expendable.

What I really hope is we have to trade some youth for Kesler and then trade sharp to get back some really good youth we lost. So we add a great 2c in kesler plus some solid youth to help now and the future. The youth we get back may not put up as many points as TT but maybe make us a better all around team
- tomcat24

This makes too much sense and therefore is not likely to happen. A nice idea but for all that to go down...surprised if it did.

That's an amazing crystal ball you're reading there.

How many years does Hossa have left?
- ArlingtonRob

He likes Sharp a lot so he must have quite a few really productive years left even though he turns 33 this year.

+ Kesler plays d too.
- MjulQvist

And well too. In 2011 he was a Selke finalist.

One thing to remember.

It's not just about Kesler's value to the Hawks, there is also quite a bit of value in keeping him from the Ducks.

TT is very overrated. He went in the second half of the first round and has pretty much ZERO experience playing in North America. From what I've heard his skating is suspect as is his play in the defensive zone. I don't think he is enough to build a package around.
- hankthetank

Skating is not suspect. At all.

Defensive zone play is a valid question, as it is for 90% of scorers at his age and stage of development.

So maybe gather a bit more information, see some tape, before pronouncing a player's value.

One thing to remember.

It's not just about Kesler's value to the Hawks, there is also quite a bit of value in keeping him from the Ducks.
- golfingsince

If the Ducks get him the Hawks still have the better core, and by a wide margin. So long as the Hawks address 2C and their depth, no team, including the Ducks with Kesler is better.

Skating is not suspect. At all.

Defensive zone play is a valid question, as it is for 90% of scorers at his age and stage of development.

So maybe gather a bit more information, see some tape, before pronouncing a player's value.
- John Jaeckel

That was a stupid ignorant comment by Hank. From what I saw, and what I have heard TT's skating is not only off the charts, he rivals Patrick Kane in balance and agility but with better straight ahead speed.

We lose our first round pick, this year, which is a terrible draft. Lose Leddy or Bickell who are probably going to need to get moved because they dont play to their contract (in Bickell's case) or are set to be a RFA with a pay increase (probably going to have to unload him anyway in Leddy). Then lose a B to C level prospect.

We then would have to trade sharp and could get either a high quality prospect that is about to hit the NHL or multiple top draft picks/prospects that have a couple years to develop with big upside.
- BearsnHawks

Just like 2002 was and Hawks managed to get two time norris trophy winner in second round then.

If the Ducks get him the Hawks still have the better core, and by a wide margin. So long as the Hawks address 2C and their depth, no team, including the Ducks with Kesler is better.
- paulr

Agreed here. If the Hawks dont get Kesler they can still get Spezza or trade Sharp for prospects and sign Stasny . There are other legit centers available.


I am anxiously waiting the Kesler announcement .

Its only 5am PCT right ?

What was the last you heard JJ ?

If the Ducks get him the Hawks still have the better core, and by a wide margin. So long as the Hawks address 2C and their depth, no team, including the Ducks with Kesler is better.
- paulr

Keep telling yourself that.

Their +/- are pretty similar over their career. Actually Spezza has a better +/- over the course of his career.

5.5 for 6 years for Callahan TBL per Bobby Mac

One thing to remember.

It's not just about Kesler's value to the Hawks, there is also quite a bit of value in keeping him from the Ducks.
- golfingsince

Not if they sign Statsny

I think TT is very underrated here. He is 19 years old player who has played already three years in pro level with men and has done really well in there. Was probably Finnish Leagues best player after the U20WJC and was pretty good in those games too.

We don´t know how good he will be just like with every other prospect but we do know the upside and that is huge. He´s got that amazing natural skill set which can´t be teached. He should get stronger and better playing without the puck but that could be said like every other prospect too.

If TT was in play for Kesler and that´s the centerpiece from Chicago who Benning and co wants, that trade would have been made already.

Moving Seabs may have "blown over" among some of the fan base, but the question that matters is...

...has it blown over in the front office?
- ArlingtonRob

There is about a 0% chance he will be moved