Perhaps this is a three-way deal with us sending Neal + to VAN for Kessler.
- FourOrr

Sharp to Pitt then ?

Not a terrible idea ,but Vn gets what Neal and ?

His playoff stats and Conn Smythe suggest otherwise.
- golfingsince

I know he ran roughshod over the B's in the '13 ECF. Oh wait, the 'guins scored 2 total goals in 4+ games, the same the 'Hawks did in 17 seconds? Oh, never mind.

I just don't get how you can defend TT for a lock for a top 6 spot but down play the other Hawk prospects.

Who's to say if some of these D prospects Dahlback, Johns, Cledenning hit that a veteran D man can't be moved for a F prospect?

Again trading TT will not cripple the Hawks. It won't happen. They can restock or fill in his space over time.

Think about this...you get Kesler, resign him for another 3-4 years and for 5-6 years he can feed Kane who make whatever wing you put on the other side very good. Kane will ONLY get better. You can move Saad up to play with Toews IF Hossa starts a quicker then anticipated downward spiral.

You also will have cap flexibility down the road and could sign a top 6 player for x if you had to.

If there is one position I am VERY concerned about...it's goalie. After Crawford, there isn't ANYTHING there...and that's a prospect I would hope Bowman is looking to get back IF he trades a Sharp and/or Oduya/Leddy.
- SteveRain

If we trade for Kesler, in two years, he will probably want to get paid and we wont be able to afford it with Saad needing a raise next year and Seabrook needing a new contract (all after Toews and Kane getting paid the big bucks). I mean maybe we could keep him and have our 3rd and 4th line full of league min players..... But you know how not having depth, on all 4 lines, works.....

I just don't get how you can defend TT for a lock for a top 6 spot but down play the other Hawk prospects.

Who's to say if some of these D prospects Dahlback, Johns, Cledenning hit that a veteran D man can't be moved for a F prospect?

Again trading TT will not cripple the Hawks. It won't happen. They can restock or fill in his space over time.

Think about this...you get Kesler, resign him for another 3-4 years and for 5-6 years he can feed Kane who make whatever wing you put on the other side very good. Kane will ONLY get better. You can move Saad up to play with Toews IF Hossa starts a quicker then anticipated downward spiral.

You also will have cap flexibility down the road and could sign a top 6 player for x if you had to.

If there is one position I am VERY concerned about...it's goalie. After Crawford, there isn't ANYTHING there...and that's a prospect I would hope Bowman is looking to get back IF he trades a Sharp and/or Oduya/Leddy.
- SteveRain

Where do we get the magical cap flexibility down the road? We'll continue to have core guys that will deserve raises and Toews & Kane are going to eat up a substantial amount of the cap space after this year.

In addition, the cap penalties from Hossa and Keith linger down the road.

In a bubble, it's a no-brainer but getting productivity from entry level contracts is the lifeblood for sustained competitiveness in the NHL cap era.

You need to move Sharp's contract with depth at wing. Maybe Neal would be more attractive to Canucks if that rumor is true. Neal + prospect (not TT or Saad) + pick?

I know TT has great credentials so far, and looks like a great prospect, but 2 things concern me.

1. His size 5'10-5'11 is a tough sell
2. Did he not drop significantly in the draft. I honestly don't know, why did that happen?

Van had a 1st in Jordan Schroeder (5'10) center that they are not going to qualify. Not the same skill level as TT but you need bigger player at center.

Unless it Saad for Keseler, which I know wont happen, I think the deal goes down with the Ducks and the Canucks trade the #6 and #10 to Florida for their #1 to take Reinhart.
- JMD007

1. So you wouldn't want Kane on your team? Kane is 5'11''.
2. Sometimes players drop in the draft and it's not their fault. Saad was originally a first round prospect in his draft year, but fell to the 2nd. If Teravainen dropped it wasn't that much, he still went 18th overall in the first round.

I'm not saying Teravainen is sure-fire NHL star but there are some good things about him. Also, TT may end up playing RW, not centre.

If we trade for Kesler, in two years, he will probably want to get paid and we wont be able to afford it with Saad needing a raise next year and Seabrook needing a new contract (all after Toews and Kane getting paid the big bucks). I mean maybe we could keep him and have our 3rd and 4th line full of league min players..... But you know how not having depth, on all 4 lines, works.....
- BearsnHawks

I agree and that's the LARGEST variable in all of this....how far that cap rises over time. I dont' think Saad is going to get some monster deal. More like 3-4 million a year.

I respect your angle, just stating that I think they can overcome TT departure with the return on a Sharp trade or budgeting to sign a sniper to play with Kane IF a prospect doesn't hit.

So Canuck STH's have some direct leverage on who they deal Kesler for? If that's the case, your franchise is doomed.

Because . . . based on what I've seen here and elsewhere, most Canuck fans don't want to deal with Chicago because they're still stuck in a 2011 mindset. Emerson Etem is the next Pavel Bure etc.

Benning and Linden should get the best deal period in terms of young players or near-ready prospects. Trust their judgement, not the fans'.

D-U-M
- John Jaeckel

The Canucks don't want to deal with the Hawks but if the best offer out there, which I do believe so far belongs to the Ducks....
I would rather deal in my own Conference than within my own Division.

Factor that may swing deal is if Pit or a team in the East, or Hawks for that matter can acquire an early round pick....Ducks already have #10 and they have been linked to the NYI to snag #5 pick.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Yea it should be interesting to see how this all shakes out. Probably everyone doing nothing
- fattybeef

It could really be a few good moves. But I do think they don't do much

Please take a step back and explain how you are blowing up the team?

Trading Leddy? Trading Sharp? Trading Teuvo? Getting back Kesler. Getting back a PROVEN NHL player or prospect/pick from Sharp trade to replace a TT.

I just dont' get your overreaction to trading Teuvo.

Point is....they lost to the Kings because of a major flaw at center. Bowman Sr himself admitted that last week to ESPN.com. They won't make that same mistake again.
- SteveRain

The poster, that I responded to, said we need to win now. So which are you wanting for Sharp? A goalie or a forward to replace TT? The Hawks lost because we waited until game 5 to put Kane/Saad/Shaw together on the line and kept Handzus as the 2c. That and the lack of depth on line 3 and 4 (which would have been fixed if Morin and Regin played for Versteeg and Bollig). We won 2 stanley cups without a legitimate 2C, why couldn't we win a 3rd without one?

This whole proven veteran vs prospect thing is being discussed right now on 670 The Score with Stoney. Biggest example: Doyle Alexender for John Smoltz in 1984.

Where do we get the magical cap flexibility down the road? We'll continue to have core guys that will deserve raises and Toews & Kane are going to eat up a substantial amount of the cap space after this year.

In addition, the cap penalties from Hossa and Keith linger down the road.

In a bubble, it's a no-brainer but getting productivity from entry level contracts is the lifeblood for sustained competitiveness in the NHL cap era.

You need to move Sharp's contract with depth at wing. Maybe Neal would be more attractive to Canucks if that rumor is true. Neal + prospect (not TT or Saad) + pick?
- Sconnie

Cap will go up...nobody knows exactly how much but it will rise and rise sharply. 5-6 million a year probably

Toews and Kane combined will eat into the cap 6+ million.
Saad isn't going to get some monster deal. I'd be shocked. More like 3-4 million.
Seabrook is vaild...that's one to watch.

However, they sound like they have a lot of D prospects ready to jump in Dahlback, Johns and Cledenning. Mix in a cheap veteran ie Rozsival or Brookbank over time and you can make this work.

These next 54 hours will tell the story.

I know he ran roughshod over the B's in the '13 ECF. Oh wait, the 'guins scored 2 total goals in 4+ games, the same the 'Hawks did in 17 seconds? Oh, never mind.
- blackhawk24

You're right, his 111 pts in 96 playoff games were probably flukes. Same as his 36 points in the 2009 playoffs on his way to earning the MVP.

@HalfordPHT: "He looks more like a girl than they do. If it weren’t for the twins, I don’t think anyone would hear about Dave Bolland." -- Bieksa, '11

@HalfordPHT: "He looks more like a girl than they do. If it weren’t for the fact he shut down the sisters, I don’t think anyone would hear about Dave Bolland." -- Bieksa, '11
- captainserious

Fixed.

I know TT has great credentials so far, and looks like a great prospect, but 2 things concern me.

1. His size 5'10-5'11 is a tough sell
2. Did he not drop significantly in the draft. I honestly don't know, why did that happen?

Van had a 1st in Jordan Schroeder (5'10) center that they are not going to qualify. Not the same skill level as TT but you need bigger player at center.

Unless it Saad for Keseler, which I know wont happen, I think the deal goes down with the Ducks and the Canucks trade the #6 and #10 to Florida for their #1 to take Reinhart.
- JMD007

He dropped in the draft because everyone took defenseman that year. There was no draft scare about him, just that teams wanted blueliners that year.

If we trade for Kesler, in two years, he will probably want to get paid and we wont be able to afford it with Saad needing a raise next year and Seabrook needing a new contract (all after Toews and Kane getting paid the big bucks). I mean maybe we could keep him and have our 3rd and 4th line full of league min players..... But you know how not having depth, on all 4 lines, works.....
- BearsnHawks

Not to discount your point but in 2 years Kane, Toews, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook are 2 years older and who knows what their concussion/injury status will be at that time....

So whether it is Kesler/Spezza or anyone else this trade will be for now....

That is the correct route to take in this situation...

NOW CANT BE TRUE
right ??



ian esplen ‏@IanEsplen 6m

Look for Kane and Toews to sign matching 8yr, 8.5 million per contracts with the #Chicago #Blackhawks on July 1st.

Sharp to Pitt then ?

Not a terrible idea ,but Vn gets what Neal and ?
- mrpaulish

Neal and our 1st?

You're right, his 111 pts in 96 playoff games were probably flukes. Same as his 36 points in the 2009 playoffs on his way to earning the MVP.
- golfingsince

What have you done for me recently? Let's add the collapse to the Blue Shirts this playoff season after being up 3-1. Yeah, not all his fault, I know. Recent history is more damning than accolades going on now 6 playoff seasons ago. Then again the 'guins have bigger problems.

I agree and that's the LARGEST variable in all of this....how far that cap rises over time. I dont' think Saad is going to get some monster deal. More like 3-4 million a year.

I respect your angle, just stating that I think they can overcome TT departure with the return on a Sharp trade or budgeting to sign a sniper to play with Kane IF a prospect doesn't hit.
- SteveRain

I agree about making up for TT's departure by the return for sharp. They might not be As good as TT can be but factoring in adding kesler and the new piece or pieces I think they should deal TT

NOW CANT BE TRUE
right ??



ian esplen ‏@IanEsplen 6m

Look for Kane and Toews to sign matching 8yr, 8.5 million per contracts with the #Chicago #Blackhawks on July 1st.
- mrpaulish

The poster, that I responded to, said we need to win now. So which are you wanting for Sharp? A goalie or a forward to replace TT? The Hawks lost because we waited until game 5 to put Kane/Saad/Shaw together on the line and kept Handzus as the 2c. That and the lack of depth on line 3 and 4 (which would have been fixed if Morin and Regin played for Versteeg and Bollig). We won 2 stanley cups without a legitimate 2C, why couldn't we win a 3rd without one?
- BearsnHawks

The won 2 cups without a 2c because Dave Bolland was a beast in the 3c hole and provided offensive depth. Something they DID NOT get this year out Shaw (injury) or Kruger. That was a large factor as to how they could get away with Handzus and Sharp playing 2c when they won.

The window to win is now.......you keep an eye on the future, but variables like injuries, decline of veterans who are playing tons of minutes, etc could all close that window a helluva lot faster then when a prospect is ready. that's why I want to win TODAY.

With Toews, Kane, Saad, Keith, Seabrook, Hammer you will always have a chance.

Who's to say guys like Kruger or Shaw aren't shown the door down the road and replaced if they don't contribute as projected? Those moves also free up money.

As far as your lineup concerns go....IMO, to an extent. Hawks were beaten by a better, deeper team. They were always the better, deeper team, and now Bowman and company have to fix that....

Bickell-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Kesler-Kane
Versteeg-Kruger-Shaw/large bodied W from Sharp trade
Smith-Cheap UFA C (Dominic Moore?)-Bolig/Morin

Keith-Seabrook
Hammer-Oduya
Rozsival-Johns/Dahlback/Cledenning

I also would be open to trading Rozsival IF you can get Brookbank back for less then 2.2 million. Frees up money and Brookbank has more tread on the tires.

That lineup their is > then what you had in game 7, IMO. Your center depth is 100% better, and you have a 3rd line that can score....like 2010/2013.

For everyone ripping Versteeg, at 2.2 million he's high reward/low risk. He'll be back in September UNLESS somebody asks about him, which I doubt.

NOW CANT BE TRUE
right ??



ian esplen ‏@IanEsplen 6m

Look for Kane and Toews to sign matching 8yr, 8.5 million per contracts with the #Chicago #Blackhawks on July 1st.
- mrpaulish

That is a nice discount if that is the price tag...both could get 9.5-10 imo

NOW CANT BE TRUE
right ??



ian esplen ‏@IanEsplen 6m

Look for Kane and Toews to sign matching 8yr, 8.5 million per contracts with the #Chicago #Blackhawks on July 1st.
- mrpaulish

I would mess my shorts if this happened

Cap will go up...nobody knows exactly how much but it will rise and rise sharply. 5-6 million a year probably

Toews and Kane combined will eat into the cap 6+ million.
Saad isn't going to get some monster deal. I'd be shocked. More like 3-4 million.
Seabrook is vaild...that's one to watch.

However, they sound like they have a lot of D prospects ready to jump in Dahlback, Johns and Cledenning. Mix in a cheap veteran ie Rozsival or Brookbank over time and you can make this work.

These next 54 hours will tell the story.
- SteveRain

Everything is estimated to be on the most advantageous end of the spectrum here. Toews & Kane could eat another $10M into the cap if everyone realizes how much the cap is going up. Saad will likely eat in another $3M (offer sheet?).

Then you're still looking at re-signing Leddy or Oduya, and Kruger plus adding Kessler's $5M? I can see the points on both sides but I wouldn't sacrifice the future because you lost on an OT game 7 goal to SC champs.