A few posters, myself included, have suggested taking a bad expiring contract to also get a high draft pick or a top prospect. Who would be the biggest targets? Keep in mind, we wouldn't necessarily have to ship anything of value back. We could be the third team involved, or send a low draft pick back to allow the other team room to make a bigger move.

ETA: if we put Crow on LTIR next year, we could possibly take a contract with an extra year on it.

Any Leaf fans/followers here? How do Jake Gardiner and Duncan Keith compare TODAY? I know their point totals are close, but as players and what they bring to the team overall. Just trying to figure out if that would be one way to go in a trade.

I know about the difference in term, and the NMC, and the likelihood is low regardless.
- Chunk

Sorry that I'm not answering your question. Leafs are high on Gardiner and have said they want to resign him.

He is currently out injured. He is older than Muzzin, he is a good solid depth defenseman,not physical, has some offensive capabilities, he also is around $4 mil. for the next couple of years. I think a contender will pick him up for a draft choice.
- LAHawk

Thanks for the intel. Martinez must have some suitors and can't see him wanting to come over to the Hawks unless they offer the Kings a likable trade.

I think the Herald had it when most of were still there with Sassone - totaled a score for each post but not for each poster.

If it’s used properly, it could eliminate a lot of “I agree” or “screw you” posts.

But - if we’re being serious - let’s do this like adults - respond with facts and logic - we don’t need to keep score.
- StLBravesFan

Totally agree.

The big knock on putting Kane, ADB and Schmaltz together was that they would get pushed around. What are your thoughts on bringing ADB back up to that line now that Strome is centering that line. He seems stronger that Schmaltz and will go to the corners and make space for others. I would love for Kane to have a better sniper on his line. Two dangerous lines.
- Chunk

I know others do too but I would really like DeBrincat reunited with Strome and Kane. Not only is Strome stronger and willing to make space and engage in tough areas, he also drives through the center lane to make plays. Strome is not a perimeter player by any means. He's on a good trajectory and could very well end up being the center that finally checks a lot of boxes for Kane.

With that in mind, I would prioritize Stone or even Duchene over Panarin as a free agent target. Stone/Duchene could play with Toews and Saad with Duchene able to play pivot to give Colliton more options.

IMO if their serious about winning and addressing their upfront top 6 , then Stan needs to move out at minimum Keith and anisomov to have any chance at either a stone , Duchene, Skinner, PANARIN

All 4 of those players are a complete upgrade.

Saad is to inconsistent and he could be useful in moving either Keith or Seabrook in a package .
- Taylorst1

As long as you are happy going for about $9m/yr long term go ahead and sign all 4 of them.

Exactly.

As for Kahun, I feel he ultimately belongs on the 3rd line say with him and Sikura with Anisimov for now but possibly an upgraded center next season.

Kahun - 3C - Sikura
Perlini - Kampf - Caggiula

Colliton seems to absolutely love Kampf and plays him a ton especially now as the 3C but that's not where he belongs. He is a perfect replacement for Kruger at 4C. Slotting him higher on a regular basis just means the team lacks proper depth to slot everyone appropriately, IMHO.
- AEL_Fox

Yep, except for I'm not seeing it w/Sikura, keep that 4th line
w/AA centering Kahun/Cat.

I wouldnt mind trading Saad to Minny for Nino N and putting
him with Strome Kane

Leaving Capt w/ FA wing and Kappo/VasilyP

4 good lines then?

As long as you are happy going for about $9m/yr long term go ahead and sign all 4 of them.
- RickJ

Kahun is not a top 6 the only reason he is playing top 6mis due to lack of talent.

Saad is inconsistent


Strome and Kane are a good start but anismov is not the solution

Debrincant is perfect away from toews and Kane to create balance and allows him to produce.


You bring in a top6 lw for the strome line
And maybe a stone to compliment Toews

Maybe they find a cheaper lw for toews line


But this poop show supporting cast isn't getting it done. They have no offensive zone play with any threat.

I know others do too but I would really like DeBrincat reunited with Strome and Kane. Not only is Strome stronger and willing to make space and engage in tough areas, he also drives through the center lane to make plays. Strome is not a perimeter player by any means. He's on a good trajectory and could very well end up being the center that finally checks a lot of boxes for Kane.

With that in mind, I would prioritize Stone or even Duchene over Panarin as a free agent target. Stone/Duchene could play with Toews and Saad with Duchene able to play pivot to give Colliton more options.
- AEL_Fox

Debrincant is just a pure sniper, strome and Kane need a solid hockey I.Q player who can make plays like Duchene or panarin.

There are some on this board that would suggest that you do not need size on your lines. Good luck with that in the playoffs.
- 67hawks

Size is everything

I would not take Muzzin for Saad, Muzzin is coming up on 30, and is going to want over $4M AAV, being in LA I watch a lot of Kings hockey. Admittedly he has been good this year, but I do not see him as a future building block
- LAHawk

If we traded Keith I was thinking of Muzzin as hold the fort kinda guy
give him $4.75 over 4

Thanks for the intel. Martinez must have some suitors and can't see him wanting to come over to the Hawks unless they offer the Kings a likable trade.
- AEL_Fox

Kings pipeline is like the Hawks, they have good D prospects, but nothing projecting top 6 as a forward. Also, who coaches them? Desjardins still has the interim title.

Agree, whether the wings are DeBrincat, Kahun, and/or Sikura, they need a big or at least rough-n-tumble center to be their complement. Coyle sounds like a good option. So does Jenner.

Even someone like Kadri even though I know a lot of people despise him. Another one would be Koivu. He's getting older but as a 1-2 year option on the 3rd line, might be worth exploring but I imagine he'll retire a Wild.
- AEL_Fox

All good options, actually Kadri might be surprisingly real good
for those 2 and the team, some snarl reaquired. I think Koivu
is slowing down big time, pass on him.

Very very few coaches have that luxury in a the hard cap era.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah guess so and to much expansion diluting talent also.

Bowman/Mcd really made a mess of this though, one has to
think the cap issues didn't sneak up on them

All good options, actually Kadri might be surprisingly real good
for those 2 and the team, some snarl reaquired. I think Koivu
is slowing down big time, pass on him.
- gazza53

Actually he would be a solid compliment to them making a productive 3rd line.


Anismov needs to go

Classic moment in the Hawks-Nucks rivalry. Loved how Eager embarrassed Bieksa and literally undressed him in this fight. For those that remember, this is the Burrows hair pulling incident with Keith.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCCR0PcT4_E
- AEL_Fox

I like that team

If we traded Keith I was thinking of Muzzin as hold the fort kinda guy
give him $4.75 over 4
- gazza53

Kings lost 6-2 to Tampa last night and gave up 50 shots losing to LVK 1-0 (Jack Campbell put on one of the best goalie displays I have seen in a long time). A lot of the Kings great defense was the system that Darryl Sutter employed, that eventually got him fired, cause there offense was horrid. So they hired John Stevens who quickly saw the team is big and slow and reverted to Sutter's system, but he got fired too. So I think a lot of the good defense was system, not necessarily the players. Look what Trotz has done with the Islanders. They are projected to give up approximately 1 less goal a game, with basically the same D core

Need his toughness. Giving him away is showing a lack of common sense. For as many descentvtransactionscStsnnhas made, equal or more bas moves. Or gambles that dus not pay off.

I do not think he will miss with early draft picks, like round one. His drafting last few years has been good. But I do not trust him otherwise.

He is getting a pass from ownership because he managed to win two Cuos Due credit for: identified and kept core together actually for three Cups. I also believe that his relationship with Q cost him MAYBE a better playoff showing. Not sure if Q felt some help at trade deadline was not capable, or if that is only somewhat true and it was as much or more a rift between coach and GM

You want a future headline or storyline......I say Bowman is not going to be dismissed. He will restock with draft choices. Eventually drafts or trades for someone to play with Kane.

Comes a time when Seabrook is too big a drain at his salary. He will sit out much next season if his contract is stuck on this roster.

On the other hand, Toewes remains a good player, but not the same valuable strong center who took a beating each night. He is not worth the big dollars but we do not have a replacement and we are likely stuck with him if his play falls off. It is the concussion worries if he gets a nasty blow or actually another concussion that could upend him.

I like that team

- gazza53

Those were the good ol days

Kings lost 6-2 to Tampa last night and gave up 50 shots losing to LVK 1-0 (Jack Campbell put on one of the best goalie displays I have seen in a long time). A lot of the Kings great defense was the system that Darryl Sutter employed, that eventually got him fired, cause there offense was horrid. So they hired John Stevens who quickly saw the team is big and slow and reverted to Sutter's system, but he got fired too. So I think a lot of the good defense was system, not necessarily the players. Look what Trotz has done with the Islanders. They are projected to give up approximately 1 less goal a game, with basically the same D core
- LAHawk

Systems do work with the right personal both the Kings of old and
Trotz's Islanders take the body, interfere, and are generally a pain in
the butt to play against.

Trotz should be coach of the year, players all bought in, am wondering
if Tavares is having second thoughts?

Totally agree.
- HawkintheD

Oh the irony.

Those were the good ol days
- BGKarras

Amen

Sheldon Brookbank added to the coaching staff.
- BGKarras

Hmmm... someone really smart was just talking about Brookbank being important to this organization the other day. Who was that?[/img]

Size is everything

- gazza53

Tom wilson smithpelly beagle etc how did Washington beat pitt tampa and vegas scoring throughtout thier lineup and physical beat the crap out of them so physical players and role players matters to win the cup.

OMG!!!! Great freakin' idea. And if I could amass a great corsi posting score....maybe Tanner would put me on his "Posting All-star Team"!!!

Make it so Justin!!!!!
- hawk35

Ha. I'll see what I can do.