Well, aside from being a legit .50PPG player. Don't think Caggulia has the skill of Versteeg.
- Elbows15

I'm fine with Caggiula, but agree, wouldn't compare him to Versteeg.

Until recently, some didn't even have Kakko as #2. Whereas Hughes has been #1 for years.
- Elbows15

https://www.draftsite.com...player/kaapo-kakko/30042/

Well, aside from being a legit .50PPG player. Don't think Caggulia has the skill of Versteeg.
- Elbows15

Wouldn't the bit about Steeg being .5ppg player and skill go together?

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/kaapo-kakko/30042/
- walleyeb1

So Malkin 2.0? But healthier with less Russian softness?

Always though Malkin look better on the wing.

Hey, fruitpants, what do you think of Joki's future? Think he'll be worth a crap?
- mohel

If JC doesn't screw up his development. He seems like a confident kid. Hope he just lets him play and make his mistakes to learn from them..assface

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/kaapo-kakko/30042/
- walleyeb1

He also has the Hawks taking a couple of goaltenders. Or did the last time I looked. But Wiz is just a fan, FWIW.

Justin Lowe: Fast 5: How to Play Defence, Goaltending and Trade Chatter

I am working on a Patrick Kane article for this week, but it’s been taking me a bit longer than anticipated because there is just so much “Kane content”.

This guy has just incredible this year and I think we tend to take him for granted. I will have something for you all by Friday focusing on #88.

For today’s read/chat, I have my “Fast 5” Blackhawks thoughts I wanted to discuss.
- Justin Lowe

Best written Blog.

You laid it out like an attorney making his closing arguments.

Facts, support....not much to argue with, plus added color and details.

A tip of the cap.

Wouldn't the bit about Steeg being .5ppg player and skill go together?
- bhawks2241

To an extent. Versteeg could make plays one on one. Though he tried far too much a times. He also could drive a line a bit. Caggulia is more dependent on his line mates at all times, IMO

Hope that clears it up for you

I'm a no on the proposed Kane trade to the Avs but could be swayed to yes if the proposal was amped up more on Colorado's end. The assets coming to Chicago would need to be near bulletproof to be NHL contributors, prospects who fill current needs, and/or current roster players who have value if flipped later.

For the proposed trade, I don't see why the Hawks would add more to the D prospect pool so why not seek one of the Avs top forward prospects instead like Martin Kaut or Shane Bowers. Maybe even current roster player Tyson Jost.

Right now the structure of that proposed trade is 3 for 3:

Kane for 2019 1st
Gustafsson for Barrie
2019 4th for Makar

So I would also think there needs to be more **quality*** of assets on Colorado's end by adding another high draft pick and/or another high end prospect given that Kane is still one of the top players in the league and no signs of slowing down. If anything, getting better as he enters his 30's.
- AEL_Fox

To trade one of the top 5 best American born players... of all time... in his prime within the division to give a division rival a legitimate change of bring contender for the length of Kanes contract, you're going to have to up the anti a little bit, especially because we're rebuilding and not bent over a cap barrel (see summer, 2010 if you need a definition).

To Colorado:
Kane
Gustaffson (or whatever other board whipping boy you want to throw in)
Pick(s), 4th round or below
B/C level prospect(s) to even out contract #s

To Chicago:
Rantanen (you HAVE to give to get)
Ottawas 1st
Makar/ or elite blue chip forward prospect
Roster player(s) to even out salary
Colorados own 1st/2nds/3rds to balance depending on where OTTs pick falls in the lottery and how awful the roster players contracts are

I'm fine with Caggiula, but agree, wouldn't compare him to Versteeg.
- I Am The Breadman

He tries hard. I will give him that and he may be able to fill a bottom 6 role.

To trade one of the top 5 best American born players... of all time... in his prime within the division to give a division rival a legitimate change of bring contender for the length of Kanes contract, you're going to have to up the anti a little bit, especially because we're rebuilding and not bent over a cap barrel (see summer, 2010 if you need a definition).

To Colorado:
Kane
Gustaffson (or whatever other board whipping boy you want to throw in)
Pick(s), 4th round or below
B/C level prospect(s) to even out contract #s

To Chicago:
Rantanen (you HAVE to give to get)
Ottawas 1st
Makar/ or elite blue chip forward prospect
Roster player(s) to even out salary
Colorados own 1st/2nds/3rds to balance depending on where OTTs pick falls in the lottery and how awful the roster players contracts are
- Slofire94

Col hangs up the phone.

He tries hard. I will give him that and he may be able to fill a bottom 6 role.
- Elbows15

I don't see JC sticking with that line, unless Kane puts up another 4 pt night.

Agree with what you said on Joki. Hopefully Gus gets reduced minutes and Joki can bump up his toi. Maybe back to playing with Keith?

Col hangs up the phone.
- Elbows15

Kind of how I feel when I see Kane trade proposals.
Kane (and Toews) are both the face of the franchise and they bring in a TON of revenue for the club from the casual fan.
Neither are getting traded unless the ask for it, or the hockey return is "too good to be true" and will launch the Hawks back into contention after a mini-retool.

2 years of freaking Matt Duchene returned:
Defenseman prospect Samuel Girard, Nashville’s 2016 second-round pick
Forward prospect Vladislav Kamenev, Nashville’s 2014 second-round pick
Forward prospect Shane Bowers, Ottawa’s 2017 first-round pick
Goaltender Andrew Hammond
2019 first-round pick from Ottawa
2018 second-round pick from Nashville
2019 third-round pick from Ottawa

Comparing my proposals,
Ottawas pick ~= Ottawa's pick
Makar ~= Girard. Makar is a prospect, Girard has stepped nicely into Avs top 4, but was less highly regarded during his draft year
Hammond = cap dump

And then it makes Rantanen the starting point to upgrade 2 years of Matt Duchene to 5 of Patrick Kane (both in their primes)

Sure, Colorado got a bunch of nice things, but its going to take a blue diamond to get Kane

Source:

https://www.sbnation.com/...imir-kamenev-shane-bowers

I don't see JC sticking with that line, unless Kane puts up another 4 pt night.

Agree with what you said on Joki. Hopefully Gus gets reduced minutes and Joki can bump up his toi. Maybe back to playing with Keith?
- I Am The Breadman

It wouldn't be the first time Kane has made a meh player look good. The list is long.

Yeah, for a couple of reasons. Show the kid you believe in him. Keith also seems to enjoy playing with the kid. Gustafsson can go back with Seabrook. He seems to play better defensively with Seabrook. Go figure. And get PP time.

If someone were to offer a 4th or better for Gustafsson, the Hawks should snap that right up.

If you didn’t like Schmaltz, you won’t like Hughes. In the WJC games that he played when not injured, he stayed on the outside of the action, looking to pass. Totally ineffective in the gold medal game.

Kaapo Kakko scored the gold medal winning goal with his *ss planted at the net near the blue paint.

Kakko > Hughes

Kind of how I feel when I see Kane trade proposals.
Kane (and Toews) are both the face of the franchise and they bring in a TON of revenue for the club from the casual fan.
Neither are getting traded unless the ask for it, or the hockey return is "too good to be true" and will launch the Hawks back into contention after a mini-retool.

2 years of freaking Matt Duchene returned:
Defenseman prospect Samuel Girard, Nashville’s 2016 second-round pick
Forward prospect Vladislav Kamenev, Nashville’s 2014 second-round pick
Forward prospect Shane Bowers, Ottawa’s 2017 first-round pick
Goaltender Andrew Hammond
2019 first-round pick from Ottawa
2018 second-round pick from Nashville
2019 third-round pick from Ottawa

Comparing my proposals,
Ottawas pick ~= Ottawa's pick
Makar ~= Girard. Makar is a prospect, Girard has stepped nicely into Avs top 4, but was less highly regarded during his draft year
Hammond = cap dump

And then it makes Rantanen the starting point to upgrade 2 years of Matt Duchene to 5 of Patrick Kane (both in their primes)

Sure, Colorado got a bunch of nice things, but its going to take a blue diamond to get Kane

Source:

https://www.sbnation.com/...imir-kamenev-shane-bowers
- Slofire94

My reasons weren't due to the return as much as it would be a lateral move for the Avs. It doesn't really solve their biggest problem. They are a one line team that is getting pretty crappy goaltending.

If you didn’t like Schmaltz, you won’t like Hughes. In the WJC games that he played when not injured, he stayed on the outside of the action, looking to pass. Totally ineffective in the gold medal game.

Kaapo Kakko scored the gold medal winning goal with his *ss planted at the net near the blue paint.

Kakko > Hughes
- scottak

Based on one game?

It wouldn't be the first time Kane has made a meh player look good. The list is long.

Yeah, for a couple of reasons. Show the kid you believe in him. Keith also seems to enjoy playing with the kid. Gustafsson can go back with Seabrook. He seems to play better defensively with Seabrook. Go figure. And get PP time.

If someone were to offer a 4th or better for Gustafsson, the Hawks should snap that right up.
- Elbows15

Gus is definitely a double-edged sword, but his play hurts more than helps. Him on the pp is great, but we need to start trying out new faces.

I want Joki back up with Keith too. You laid out good reasons.

Kane is a special kind of talent, has been and will be for years to come.

Best written Blog.

You laid it out like an attorney making his closing arguments.

Facts, support....not much to argue with, plus added color and details.

A tip of the cap.
- TrueGrit

Thanks TG. Appreciate it.

Justin what be the asking price for Keith if he would agree to waive his NMT clause to play for the cup again, same with AA ,Saad?

Nino for Rask trade is interesting.

Rask is having a horrendous season offensively in CAR with 6 points in 25 games. The Hurricanes are a very weird team right now; they tried to make big moves but they appear to

Nino has been very up-and-down as well in Minny.

"A change of scenery" they will say for both.

Funny thing is I have a hypothetical trade with Saad for Nino 1-for-1 as well.

Shopping list for Hawks to not suck or be medicore:

-top six forward
-3 NHL calibre role player forwards that can slot up if necessary. (In addition to, not including what they have now)
-proven top pairing
-not Dahlstrom on the shutdown pair with Murphy
-goalie depending on Crow

They need a lot bro. 7 different players and they sure can't be mostly rookies. 2 maybe 3 years before they make noise.
- fattybeef

So, you are saying that no players on the current roster or in the minors will improve enough to solve these issues? I agree on the top 6 forward, but after that, I think the rest could be solved by an actual off-season to practice and players improving/coming up in the system.

Justin what be the asking price for Keith if he would agree to waive his NMT clause to play for the cup again, same with AA ,Saad?
- Scott1977

Hmmm... this question seems like one I could turn into a fun trade proposal blog next week. Thoughts?

Topline though, for Keith, I think you would want a top tier prospect coming back, possibly a veteran defenceman (the Hawks would only be left with Seabs and a 25-year old Murphy as "vets) and a high pick.

AA - don't expect much. Maybe a mid-level pick and/or mid-level prospect

Saad - I think with him you would want value you back because he's still just 26 and has term. So you would be able to do a 1-for-1 type move. If that was the case, I would send him somewhere for a top 4 defenceman and then work free agency for a forward.

Based on one game?
- Elbows15

Hughes missed 2-3 games because of injury. Without looking it up, I don’t believe he scored a goal, but may have had 4-5 assists.

And yes, in the good medal game, Finland outplayed the USA for most of the 60 minutes, and KK was much more impactful on the game than Hughes. I actually though the other Hughes (the D man drafted by VAN) controlled more of the game than Jack did.

And KK was able to score the game winner. Jokiharju was the best defenseman on the ice for either team.

Just my opinion, but I’d take KK instead of Hughes.

Based on one game?
- Elbows15

Hell, yesterday it was based on one play. Progress.