The beauty of now living in Denver (outside of the annual 300+ days of sunshine-most in the US-, skiing, mountains and legal cannabis ) is that I watch on NHL.tv or NBC National games only. I always watch the opposing team's broadcast because 1) I like to hear what other teams say/think about the Hawks, and 2) because the Foley/Olcyk clown show Bromance is not enjoyable to listen to.
- EnzoD

Back at you Enzo, i do same - just down the road from you in Monument, CO

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

Um...you forgot the 1 year supply of chips for Stanbo - done deal!!!!!

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.
- Justin Lowe

From the current Sporting News, post WJC.

Strong arguments can be made for Finland’s Kaapo Kakko to not only be the first winger selected, but some feel he is the better choice for the top overall spot. Scoring a gold medal-winning tally at the World Juniors certainly helped him in the exposure department. But it’s been Kakko’s adult-level production as a teenager in the Finnish SM-Liiga that is reinforcing just how special a talent he already is. Big, strong, deceptively quick and blessed with exceptional vision and stickhandling, Kakko would be a rewarding consolation prize if a team picking second or third misses out on Hughes.

Note the ‘big, strong’ comment.

I admit this may be a really stupid idea, but what about moving Gus from D to 3rd or 4th line wing? Take advantage of his offensive upside and get him off the back end.

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

At one point, it was Schmaltz didn't have a good celebration face.

From the current Sporting News, post WJC.

Strong arguments can be made for Finland’s Kaapo Kakko to not only be the first winger selected, but some feel he is the better choice for the top overall spot. Scoring a gold medal-winning tally at the World Juniors certainly helped him in the exposure department. But it’s been Kakko’s adult-level production as a teenager in the Finnish SM-Liiga that is reinforcing just how special a talent he already is. Big, strong, deceptively quick and blessed with exceptional vision and stickhandling, Kakko would be a rewarding consolation prize if a team picking second or third misses out on Hughes.

Note the ‘big, strong’ comment.
- scottak

I'd be surprised if someone took him over Hughes as talented as he appears to be just because of the hype that has been around him for the past few years

Keith kunitz 4th to Toronto for kadri/Kappean 1st and 3rd carl grunstrom
Saad and 3rd you got from toronto to carolina for either pesche straight up or fleury and roy
AA To columbus for a 3rd and 2nd in 2020 or straight up for carlsson.

I admit this may be a really stupid idea, but what about moving Gus from D to 3rd or 4th line wing? Take advantage of his offensive upside and get him off the back end.
- Hanrahan

No not a stupid idea for a guy who routinely is caught outta position on D that leads to goals fairly regularly but has shown some elite offensive talents. The value of an offensive defensemen with his skill set (IF he could actually put the time in to play solid D) worth WAAAYYY more than if he's just a skilled offensive forward. He's got the skill set that he could probably work as a winger IF he learned how to handle the position, but with how little it seems he to care about playing defense now I doubt he'd care much to do that. Gus has got to put the time in to be a better defender if he wants to stick in the league and get paid. If we let him go, sure he'll get a shot on another team somewhere but if he continues to play that bad on his own end no one will ever pay him top dollars or any amount of term

Keith kunitz 4th to Toronto for kadri/Kappean 1st and 3rd carl grunstrom
Saad and 3rd you got from toronto to carolina for either pesche straight up or fleury and roy
AA To columbus for a 3rd and 2nd in 2020 or straight up for carlsson.
- Scott1977

Bustin out the NHL 19 trade machine eh? JK man but for real I can't see Toronto trading Kap or Kadri for Keith. They love both players too much they would want a young top level D-man back in return for either of them even with the impending cap doom they'll face. Carolina deals I could see happen either way and help the team out. Idk about the AA deal though. Don't think they could get a 2nd and a 3rd for him unless someone got desparate. More than likely would get a 3rd or maybe a 2nd in return. Don't see them getting in on Carlsson with how many D-men they got in the Pipeline right now...just my two cents though

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.
- scottak

Kakko has 1 more point is 3 more games. Hughes has put up Nintendo numbers at every level. Dominated both the U17&U18. Is about to break all the records for the USDTP. He also has a bit a fiesty edge to him. I have seen him drive the net many times in my viewings.

Not saying Kakko wouldn't be a nice consolation at 2, but if its were me, I am taking Hughes number 1.

Bustin out the NHL 19 trade machine eh? JK man but for real I can't see Toronto trading Kap or Kadri for Keith. They love both players too much they would want a young top level D-man back in return for either of them even with the impending cap doom they'll face. Carolina deals I could see happen either way and help the team out. Idk about the AA deal though. Don't think they could get a 2nd and a 3rd for him unless someone got desparate. More than likely would get a 3rd or maybe a 2nd in return. Don't see them getting in on Carlsson with how many D-men they got in the Pipeline right now...just my two cents though
- Savetheembers33

Think he meant Karlsson. The center.

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

Seems reasonable

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
- Elbows15

Haha, I got what you were saying. I was just jabbing you a bit. Versteeg was a .5ppg player because of his skill.

I actually think Steeg's skill was underrated. He tried to stick handle for the perfect play far to often. I always thought he was a really talented and athletic player. Just not sure he was all there in the ole brain.

Caggulia doesn't have close to the same pair of hands that Versteeg did. Probably similar skating and athleticism wise.

Haha, I got what you were saying. I was just jabbing you a bit. Versteeg was a .5ppg player because of his skill.

I actually think Steeg's skill was underrated. He tried to stick handle for the perfect play far to often. I always thought he was a really talented and athletic player. Just not sure he was all there in the ole brain.

Caggulia doesn't have close to the same pair of hands that Versteeg did. Probably similar skating and athleticism wise.
- bhawks2241

Funny thing about Versteeg was he actually did put .5PPG or better when he was healthy. Some guys have an outlier year or two that skews the numbers. Not with Versteeg, though. He was consistent.

I made a similar proposal a while back. I would only think about it if Van had the #2 pick.
- powerenforcer

Pettersson was the #5 OA pick a couple years ago and is the odds on favorite to win the Calder. If I had to pick between Pettersson and Kakko I would probably take Pettersson. Vancouver will probably be in the 7-15 range with their pick so swapping our 2nd pick for their 1st pick will mean a potential top-6 player in a year or two.

Funny thing about Versteeg was he actually did put .5PPG or better when he was healthy. Some guys have an outlier year or two that skews the numbers. Not with Versteeg, though. He was consistent.
- Elbows15

Yep agreed. Perfect 3rd line player in his earlier days. As he got older he just wanted to dangle more. Think his style of play took a toll on him really fast. Similar to Bolland. He's not a big guy and he also has a small frame but he threw himself around a lot his first few years with the Hawks.

Those boys certainly liked to party and really party some more prior to and after that first cup.

Bustin out the NHL 19 trade machine eh? JK man but for real I can't see Toronto trading Kap or Kadri for Keith. They love both players too much they would want a young top level D-man back in return for either of them even with the impending cap doom they'll face. Carolina deals I could see happen either way and help the team out. Idk about the AA deal though. Don't think they could get a 2nd and a 3rd for him unless someone got desparate. More than likely would get a 3rd or maybe a 2nd in return. Don't see them getting in on Carlsson with how many D-men they got in the Pipeline right now...just my two cents though
- Savetheembers33

Just ideas and nhl 19 is very good not as easy to trade either as long as its on hard setting.

Think he meant Karlsson. The center.
- Elbows15

No the defense man probably misspelled my bad Gabriel carlsson i think thats how its spelled so many variations of that last name.

Kakko has 1 more point is 3 more games. Hughes has put up Nintendo numbers at every level. Dominated both the U17&U18. Is about to break all the records for the USDTP. He also has a bit a fiesty edge to him. I have seen him drive the net many times in my viewings.

Not saying Kakko wouldn't be a nice consolation at 2, but if its were me, I am taking Hughes number 1.
- Elbows15

https://www.12up.com/post...prospect-than-jack-hughes

Funny thing about Versteeg was he actually did put .5PPG or better when he was healthy. Some guys have an outlier year or two that skews the numbers. Not with Versteeg, though. He was consistent.
- Elbows15

To sort of further this type of discussion, what are the realistic point expectations for being in the top 6 (not our top six, but average in the league)?

Saad and Strome are at or just above 0.5 PPG. AA is just a tick under at 0.48. ADB at 0.79, Toews 0.88, and Kane at 1.36. When Saad was considered "good" he was at 0.64ish.

https://www.12up.com/posts/6256796-kaapo-kakko-is-a-better-nhl-prospect-than-jack-hughes
- walleyeb1

Any reputable sites?

To sort of further this type of discussion, what are the realistic point expectations for being in the top 6 (not our top six, but average in the league)?

Saad and Strome are at or just above 0.5 PPG. AA is just a tick under at 0.48. ADB at 0.79, Toews 0.88, and Kane at 1.36. When Saad was considered "good" he was at 0.64ish.
- Chunk

~50 I would say. Though it seems offensive numbers are experiencing a bit of an uptick this season. So maybe 55-60ish

New Blackhawks in warmups:
Saad-Toews-DeBrincat
Caggiula-Strome-Kane
Perlini-Anisimov-Kahun
Kunitz-Kruger-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Murphy

Delia
Ward

Looks like JC is trying to bump Gus's Corsi number up a little before they trade him

Only real explanation for Kunitz in the lineup (that I can think of) is that he has agreed to waive his NTC and they are showing him off.

~50 I would say. Though it seems offensive numbers are experiencing a bit of an uptick this season. So maybe 55-60ish
- Elbows15

That's kind of what I was thinking. Yeah so we need some help there...