I could see Rutta and Kempny going, they won't likely be back next season so the Hawks might as well get something for them. The Hawks might get a 2nd rounder if they put together the right package (i.e. Sharp + Kempny).
- DarthKane

Yep. I wouldn't be surprised if both of them go. Rutta had a lot of value with him being RHD but now with Oesterle's ability to play both sides and Murphy and Seabs on the roster (+ plethora of RHD coming up) he may be expendable.

If it were me, I would be looking to recoup picks for any of the guys that aren't in the team's future plans. Easier said than done, but they are in a position they haven't been in for a while - a likely non-playoff team and finally have slight breathing room with the cap.

Then in the off-season, you look to deal for a top 4 D or a younger D that has top 4 potential in by 2019 at the latest.

Yep. I wouldn't be surprised if both of them go. Rutta had a lot of value with him being RHD but now with Oesterle's ability to play both sides and Murphy and Seabs on the roster (+ plethora of RHD coming up) he may be expendable.

If it were me, I would be looking to recoup picks for any of the guys that aren't in the team's future plans. Easier said than done, but they are in a position they haven't been in for a while - a likely non-playoff team and finally have slight breathing room with the cap.

Then in the off-season, you look to deal for a top 4 D or a younger D that has top 4 potential in by 2019 at the latest.
- Justin Lowe

I'd like to keep Rutta as a 6-7D or to take over if Oesterle flips sides. He's got value. Still want a top 4 upgrade though.

Is Anisimov an essential player on this roster with Schmaltz establishing himself at 2C, and Kampf really stepping in and being effective as a bottom 6 C that can win draws, play with speed/tenacity? I'm guessing a Playoff team would LOVE to add a guy like Big Art to be their 3C for a Cup push. If that bum Hanzal got a 1st round pick, I'd put 15 on the block and see what you can get for him at the Trade Deadline.
- EnzoD

If management truly thinks Schmaltz will remain and develop into a reliable center, then AA becomes possibly the top trade value tis year.

Wasnt Timmo coming off of some type of blod clot issue, and he hadnt played all year....and StanBo ponies up two 2nds....
- glennjpawlak22

Yes and yes, and he was 40. Inexcusable mismanagement of valuable assets.

Wasnt Timmo coming off of some type of blod clot issue, and he hadnt played all year....and StanBo ponies up two 2nds....
- glennjpawlak22

And Kieth Seabs Hammer and Oduya were" Warriors" that spring.

Mentioned Kempny looked to be the odd man out as well.

Gustafsson up as a showcase makes sense to me, especially with the amount of scouts in Rockford during this season.

I've heard the Hawks would love some draft picks (getting a 2nd rounder back would be ideal...diffucult but possible if it's a late pick).
- Justin Lowe

So they trade both and who replaces them?

Is Anisimov an essential player on this roster with Schmaltz establishing himself at 2C, and Kampf really stepping in and being effective as a bottom 6 C that can win draws, play with speed/tenacity? I'm guessing a Playoff team would LOVE to add a guy like Big Art to be their 3C for a Cup push. If that bum Hanzal got a 1st round pick, I'd put 15 on the block and see what you can get for him at the Trade Deadline.
- EnzoD

He is not.

I'm with you, if you can deal him at the deadline and get out from under the rest of his contract along with getting something decent in return in the way of picks/prospects, you do it.

And Kieth Seabs Hammer and Oduya were" Warriors" that spring.
- eagle50

That spring kind of gassed our D since then too.

He is not.

I'm with you, if you can deal him at the deadline and get out from under the rest of his contract along with getting something decent in return in the way of picks/prospects, you do it.
- Hawksfan37

I like AA, but the emergence of Schmaltz and Kampf have made him less important. C depth is nice too, though.

Is Anisimov an essential player on this roster with Schmaltz establishing himself at 2C, and Kampf really stepping in and being effective as a bottom 6 C that can win draws, play with speed/tenacity? I'm guessing a Playoff team would LOVE to add a guy like Big Art to be their 3C for a Cup push. If that bum Hanzal got a 1st round pick, I'd put 15 on the block and see what you can get for him at the Trade Deadline.
- EnzoD

He is a real good trade chip with Kampf playing like he is, definitely has 3C written
all over him.

I like AA, but the emergence of Schmaltz and Kampf have made him less important. C depth is nice too, though.
- JRoenick97

Totally agreed that center depth is nice to have and required to go places in the playoffs. But for next year you could theoretically roll out this instead:

Toews
Schmaltz
3rd line C at $2-$2.5M who can win draws
Kampf

Schmaltz struggles in the dot for sure, but he has the most value to the organization going forward at C. Having Toews, Kampf (who so far has been ok on draws) and another C you bring in who is good on draws would help balance his struggles in the dot out. Plus you get to spend $2/$2.5M elsewhere on the roster.

That spring kind of gassed our D since then too.
- JRoenick97

Yep so people should step back once and a while and remember the price of CUPS.

Yep so people should step back once and a while and remember the price of CUPS.
- eagle50

3 of them, even.

Kampf needs to show some offense ability before they ship off Anisimov

Yes and yes, and he was 40. Inexcusable mismanagement of valuable assets.
- EnzoD

Yeah imagine how much better we’d be if we had Wade Allison and Jeremy Bracco now.

Yeah imagine how much better we’d be if we had Wade Allison and Jeremy Bracco now.
- walleyeb1

Saad and Debrincat were 2nd rounds picks, as were Duncan Keith and Corey Crawford. So, ya, terrible trade any way you slice it. Who knows who the Hawks may have selected with those picks.

So they trade both and who replaces them?
- gazza53

Forsling is in the minors getting a touch up. He easily comes back up and you would have:

2-82
5-7
42-44


Plus, they could easily get an NHL ready or veteran Dman back.

Also in Rockford, Franson, Clendening, Pokka and Dalhstrom could come up as a #7 if a player does not come back the other way.

Is Anisimov an essential player on this roster with Schmaltz establishing himself at 2C, and Kampf really stepping in and being effective as a bottom 6 C that can win draws, play with speed/tenacity? I'm guessing a Playoff team would LOVE to add a guy like Big Art to be their 3C for a Cup push. If that bum Hanzal got a 1st round pick, I'd put 15 on the block and see what you can get for him at the Trade Deadline.
- EnzoD

They still really like AA. He has a lot of traits that they want rubbing off on the younger players (ie. crashing the net, playing 200-foot game) however, I wouldn't be surprised to see his name pop up in rumours.

Remember, he has a NMC. If anything, I can see him going in the summer of 2018 or 2019.

Finally, if he does go, you would need to replace him in the offseason which may be tricky to do considering who's available.

Forsling is in the minors getting a touch up. He easily comes back up and you would have:

2-82
5-7
42-44


Plus, they could easily get an NHL ready or veteran Dman back.

Also in Rockford, Franson, Clendening, Pokka and Dalhstrom could come up as a #7 if a player does not come back the other way.
- Justin Lowe

That pairing was so good then so bad. I know it hasn't worked in the limited minutes they've played together but I'd really like to see Forsling and Murphy develop into an effective pair.

Saad and Debrincat were 2nd rounds picks, as were Duncan Keith and Corey Crawford. So, ya, terrible trade any way you slice it. Who knows who the Hawks may have selected with those picks.
- EnzoD

I didn’t have as big of a problem with that trade as others obviously. You also need to look back and see who played D for us in the 2015 playoffs.

The 2nd pick started as a conditional 4th. “The 2016 pick moves from the fourth to second round if the Blackhawks advance to the Stanley Cup final this year and Timonen plays in 50 percent of the Western Conference final. It can become a third round pick if they just advance to the West Semi-Final and he meets the same criteria.”

So who did play D on the 2015 cup run and how many games:

Keith 23
Seabrook 23
Hjalmarsson 23
Oduya 23
Timonen 18
Rozsival 10
Cumisky 9
Rundblad 5
TVR 4

Granted he only averaged a little over 8 minutes per game, but we were pretty thin and I think he actually brought a spark to the locker room.

Also in Rockford, Pokka WILL NEVER COME UP barring a complete catastrophe takes place where Keith, Seabrook, Oesterle and Murphy all break a leg at the same time.
- Justin Lowe

Justin, fixed that for ya.

Vies for one of Blowman's worst trades, waiting until the Doomsday clock was 1 second from ringing. The smoke-screen cover that some still ascribe to today is that Pokka was a top-rated prospect.

Slow-footed with poor skating mechanics.
Never gonna be an NHL defender. Not here, not anywhere in the NHL.
Maybe overseas.

NEW blog up.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=90587


All-Star weekend fun... should be some fun debates with this.

@jaeckel

As reported a few weeks ago, hearing increased TOI for Kempny (and Gustafsson) is because both are being shopped. One or the other "likely" to be moved before the DL.
- JRoenick97

Wouldn't be at all surprised if the Penguins went after Kempny, his style of play is so much like Daley, and Q doesn't know how to coach that.

Justin, fixed that for ya.

Vies for one of Blowman's worst trades, waiting until the Doomsday clock was 1 second from ringing. The smoke-screen cover that some still ascribe to today is that Pokka was a top-rated prospect.

Slow-footed with poor skating mechanics.
Never gonna be an NHL defender. Not here, not anywhere in the NHL.
Maybe overseas.
- savvyone-1

haha... thanks. I put Pokka in the because I felt bad for him.

Terrible trade by Stan. He acquired a poor skating (by NHL standards) in a time when the NHL was getting faster with a premium on mobile defencemen (like Leddy).

haha... thanks. I put Pokka in the because I felt bad for him.

Terrible trade by Stan. He acquired a poor skating (by NHL standards) in a time when the NHL was getting faster with a premium on mobile defencemen (like Leddy).
- Justin Lowe

Just think that's the best offer he could get for Leddy? That's 30 teams thinking Leddy really isn't that good