Makes sense.

If they are looking to deal Saad maybe they could make something work with Edmonton.

How about Saad, Gus, Forsling for Nurse, Reider, and a 3rd?
- scott.jackson

I don't know if EDM would move Nurse but if they do, I hope it's to the Hawks. That guy has a lot of upside.

EDM needs to move some $$ so the Hawks could "help" them out there.

Only thing I've heard was that there was talk of Reider heading to the Hawks as a salary dump (he's on 2M but everything helps). That would mean a draft pick, or more likely an AHLer or prospect heading back to the Oilers.

Boston not giving up defensive going into a playoff run no projected playoff team is if anything they be adding defense. Maybe buffalo or carolina one other if they think they can make the playoffs is islanders.
- Scott1977

For sure, I added that in there that BOS wouldn't likely move a D... or would want a D in return.

Buffalo is a team I would watch for ss a trading partner.

Many times people here GROSSLY overestimate the value of our assets in trades. Read on Sportsnet.ca that in a NHL reporters opinion that Hawks might have to retain salary to move even Saad; that isindeed depressing. ofthat is case, I hope we keep him
- holyJumpin_NL

I'm with you. Saad only goes if its a good return.

I am not in the camp that the Hawks would have to retain salary to move Saad.

Around the deadline he would be very valuable. 2-time Stanley Cup winner, strong 2-way/PK play, fast and bigger body to endure a long playoff run.

I admit, 6M is not insignificant but he has the skill as a top 6 and is still only 26.

I think I just talked myself into not trading him if I'm Stan. Ha.

C'mon dude..... And you write a Blackhawks blog and you post this nonsense?

Believe me I would love Simmonds on the Hawks, however he's a UFA this summer - why would Bowman trade that package for a pending UFA?? makes ZERO sense... Especially when you include Beaudin..... I could see Keith and Hayden for Simmonds, but the rest makes no sense at all...
- Savard2Secord

Below it reads...

~ deal contingent on Simmonds signing an extension

This notion that Panarin doesn't deliver in the playoffs based on the series against the Preds is nonsense. The Preds blew out the Hawks in 4 straight with the Hawks scoring a grand total of 3 goals in the 4 games. If that series defines Panarin as a post season failure than so is Kane and Toews and everyone else who got humiliated in the series. In the previous season playoffs Panarin tied with Kane for the scoring lead with 7 points in the 7-game loss.
- EbonyRaptor

And where was he when the BJ's had Washington by the nuts 0-2 last year and coughed it up in the next 4 games? He has never done much in the playoffs when the going gets tough is my point.

I'd argue they need more than a Johnny Oduya type. Their defense is very poor defensively and they are vulnerable to an aggresive forecheck.
- paulr

Agree with that assessment. Which means they need to outscore the opponent in the playoffs and their goaltending needs to be stellar every night.

For the right package I'm sure the Coyotes would agree to send Hammer to the Leafs.

2 teams I'm interested in seeing what they do at TDL & into off-season: Flyers & Islanders

Will Lou go for it this year with all the UFAs playing out their contracts. You need hot goaltending & scoring depth/gritty goals in the playoffs. So far in regular season they have had this.

I really like a few of the Islanders prospects to either keep or flip for top 4 LHD we're looking for.

All depends on waiving NMC, but maybe a Keith, Saad, Nalimov for LW Dal Colle, C/LW Bellows, RHD Dobson, RHD Wilde & G Sorokin. I would give up mid-level prospects & picks as needed. Then hope to flip Dobson or Wilde for LHD top 4 prospect to teams needing RHD.

I’m on leave for surgery. I quote my own posts to add additional context - my god, what a concept!

I’m so offended! Thanks for welcoming me with open arms.

I’m also not new here, I’m just not a regular
- WSCTeton17[/quote

You are welcome here..

You still haven't answered my question, like a politician twist everything around

Btw yes many analysts suck and many are mouth pieces for the owners
- BetweenTheDots[/img]

Well then I must be one hell of a politician because I didn't see one question from you directed at me. You said "name me" things but there was no question directed at me, not from what I can see.

I also never said that Tampa is going to win a Callahan trade. What I said is that their situation with Callahan is not similar to the situation with Chicago years back where they were in cap hell. If you think Tampa is in cap hell, then you're probably just a Hawks fan and not an NHL fan. What I did say is that the salary cap dump by Tampa won't be as bad as people are thinking. It's not going to be Bickell+TT for an AHLer and you can quote me on that down the road

The only trades I want to see are trades where picks and prospects are coming back to the Hawks for veteran players/pending UFA's...... I would really like to see Keith play his entire career with the Hawks, but if the Hawks cant get value out of him - may as well move him with the logjam the Hawks will have at D in the next couple of years...

Trading any of the Hawks top prospects should be out of the question - it shouldn't even be considered unless it's a top prospect for a top prospect swap er in other words a "hockey trade" kinda like the Schmaltz for Strome deal albeit neither were "prospects" when they were trade. But the chances of that happening with players U-20 are slim to none, this isn't the NBA it's the NHL.

I think moving Anisimov for cap reasons would be an excellent idea tho, it would give the Hawks more room in off-season to make a couple of big splashes come July 1st. Perhaps trading Keith would be a good idea If - and only if -the right deal comes along... You don't trade Keith for the sake of it - or because he still has decent value given the AAV on his contract. But at the same time Keith could play a major role in helping our young defensive studs develop -- who better to mentor the likes of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchel and the other defensive prospects that have 4 potential than Keith..... I would also love to see Keith playout his contract with the Hawk and retire a Hawk. However if there is a deal on the table for Keith that makes sense - a deal the Hawks lose now, but win 2-3 years from now that would be something Bowman should consider...

However I think most of the moves Bowman will be making will not be at the deadline, with the exception of Kunitz. perhaps AA and a few guys that really have no future role on this team - if Bowman can get mid-round picks for a guy like Kunitz, perhaps a 3rd for Ward - I would be satisfied with that considering the scouting staff have done an excellent job drafting er stealing players mid-to-later rounds.

If I were Bowman that is how I would approach this TDL - my main focus would be improving the team via UFA's come July 1st... Perhaps purse Simmons and Panarin July first and try to sign one or both.... Hawks have the space but obviously Bowman's first obligation should be to get DeBrincat and Strome signed long-term (or at least on a bridge deals) - that and dump the pending UFA's for whatever you can get at the TDL.

Corsi (statistic) Corsi is an advanced statistic used in the National Hockey League to measure shot attempt differential while at even strength play. This includes shots on goal, missed shots on goal, and blocked shot attempts towards the opposition's net minus the same shot attempts directed at your own team's net.
- scottak

Right, so having a higher corsi points to you betting a better 'possession' player. Again, Hammer's number was higher. So you're talking about Murphy showing promise (or someone was) but posting stats showing Hammer as the better player

I don't know if EDM would move Nurse but if they do, I hope it's to the Hawks. That guy has a lot of upside.

EDM needs to move some $$ so the Hawks could "help" them out there.

Only thing I've heard was that there was talk of Reider heading to the Hawks as a salary dump (he's on 2M but everything helps). That would mean a draft pick, or more likely an AHLer or prospect heading back to the Oilers.
- Justin Lowe

I respectfully disagree with you here. The Oilers are indeed trying to move Rieder now, but if they want to dump him in the offseason it won't cost them anything. He's an RFA so they'll either trade him for maybe a 5th rounder or they won't qualify and he'll walk, right?

The player the Oilers need to dump off is Spooner and at $3.1MM I don't think it's going to cost them a lot in order to do so. I could see them sending Spooner, a prospect and a 1st to the Coyotes for Richard Panik and then look to re-sign Panik. They'll probably look for more bargain players such as Pirri and Maroon while insulating their roster by re-signing Khaira and Pulj

I'm with you. Saad only goes if its a good return.

I am not in the camp that the Hawks would have to retain salary to move Saad.

Around the deadline he would be very valuable. 2-time Stanley Cup winner, strong 2-way/PK play, fast and bigger body to endure a long playoff run.

I admit, 6M is not insignificant but he has the skill as a top 6 and is still only 26.

I think I just talked myself into not trading him if I'm Stan. Ha.
- Justin Lowe

Saad main strength is getting to the net and scoring goals from 3-6ft. He does not have great shot from 15 plus feet away. He is not a great passer. He is not creative play maker type. He can play the 200ft game but is not a very physical player. He must play with skilled line mates to have a chance.

He is very one dimensional but that one dimension is very important: scoring goals in close.

I doubt he is traded unless some GM envisions him as a missing piece and blows stanbow away with one of those offers you can't refuse. If they trade Saad and arte who the hell goes to the net? Toews occassionaly...Strome? players unknown

I'm with you. Saad only goes if its a good return.

I am not in the camp that the Hawks would have to retain salary to move Saad.

Around the deadline he would be very valuable. 2-time Stanley Cup winner, strong 2-way/PK play, fast and bigger body to endure a long playoff run.

I admit, 6M is not insignificant but he has the skill as a top 6 and is still only 26.

I think I just talked myself into not trading him if I'm Stan. Ha.
- Justin Lowe

On this I agree with you. I haven't seen that on Sportsnet (maybe I will tomorrow) that CHI would need to retain to move Saad. I don't think the return would be huge, but I think he would net some decent futures. If a team like Dallas were interested maybe they'd offer you Ritchie, a 1st, and a prospect or Janmark, a 2nd, and a prospect. People here seem to really overvalue Saad. I get it. He put up over 50 points playing with some pretty awesome players but he dropped to 35 last year and he's projecting for under 50 this year while still getting quite a bit of time with Kane/Toews

Agree with that assessment. Which means they need to outscore the opponent in the playoffs and their goaltending needs to be stellar every night.

For the right package I'm sure the Coyotes would agree to send Hammer to the Leafs.
- RickJ

From being here in the Desert and taking Chayka at his word (I know him personally WHICH DOES NOT MEAN I HAVE INSIDE SCOOPS just what he'll tell anyone) that he'll move almost anyone for the right price but they're looking to get back into the playoffs sooner rather than later. They're not far out of the playoffs right now and they are absolutely decimated by injuries. Could it happen? Yes. Does it happen? I really don't think so

I just find it odd that there is not more rumours about the Hawks making moves. Very quiet. Justin, I read your proposal, interesting. Whats your gut feeling on how this team will move forward. Will they keep the core until the very end or do you feel a shift on moving core? Or might they be buyers?
- Hawkster

I find it surprising if Chicago makes significant moves. Here is why:

* to keep turnstiles attendance strong, the team needs to be competitive. Read: with many rookie and youth on defense and more pushing and going to be employed as soon as Bowman feels they are ready, this means you have to retain enough veteran help on defense until one or more young kids show they are READY and ABLE to take someone's job.

Confidence and repetition- knowing automatically where to go with puck when under pressure. - it takes time to master this or improve to an acceptable rate of success. You need to play to improve and receiving protected minutes and or small TOI in NHL retards development. Better to play in Rockford.

Even a cup of coffee so that a player is rewarded for good play in Rockford and can see what they need to work on - yes even a cup of coffee is possible but no way
should these prized dman prospects be rushed

* what do we have that teams really want? In order to get a premiere blue chip prospect, probably have to take on a bad contract. Any new contract with term is problematic since Toews and Kane aren't leaving and Seabrook is very hard to move.

We already have a boatload of dmen prospects. You have to consider $ and when contracts are up for renewal. Don't want too many all at same time.

* based on the second point above, I imagine Bowman is more likely to accept draft choices. Also he should consider Carlsson now if close to ready and allow either Forsling and or Jokiharju regular playing time in Rockford. I would like those two to gain confidance before playing NHL again.

my bold prediction: nobody on the hawks with a NMC or NTC gets moved at TDL.

1. toews, kane, crow...abs not happening
2. seab...not happening with that contract
3. keith: ya don't move a future HOFer at the TDL and he won't approve it and they won't ask
4. arte: 2 yeras left; tough to move guys with years left at the TDL; 20% chance
5. kunitz = who cares, what are they going to get a 2025 7th round pick
6. ward = nope not with crow out; unless some playoff team is in desperate of a backup and he approves

i don't see the hawks making a big TDL splash; maybe a young dman or 2 are moved

post season trade fireworks are inevitable

Agree with that assessment. Which means they need to outscore the opponent in the playoffs and their goaltending needs to be stellar every night.

For the right package I'm sure the Coyotes would agree to send Hammer to the Leafs.
- RickJ

I am sure that if you explain farther what the so called right package is for Arizona to acquire iF Hjalmarsson is sent to the Leafs, it has to be at least somewhat of an overpayment.

What sort of prospects, young players would Arizona want considering the position and young talent they already have in place?

Hjalmarsson ia a good fit with all those offensive puck movers in Phoenix (and Oesterle seems to be a fit lately for them btw). So to move him, you have to really entice them with something they like - not just a good offer you would like them to accept. Maybe a draft choice is not what Arizona wants for Hjalmarsson. Toronto does not want to trade their dmen prospects (won't dive into that here). I think Arizona wants a young good Toronto forward/read: a center.

I don't know if Toronto feels going for Cup before salary cap hell? Because Lamoriello will surely tender a contract
and then does a Leaf player say no to a big offer? Just to stay in Toronto? Sticky wicket for Toronto to navigate

Makes sense.

If they are looking to deal Saad maybe they could make something work with Edmonton.

How about Saad, Gus, Forsling for Nurse, Reider, and a 3rd?
- scott.jackson

Oilers have ZERO interest in Saad. The last thing we need is a 6 million dollar 45 point player.

I don't know if EDM would move Nurse but if they do, I hope it's to the Hawks. That guy has a lot of upside.

EDM needs to move some $$ so the Hawks could "help" them out there.

Only thing I've heard was that there was talk of Reider heading to the Hawks as a salary dump (he's on 2M but everything helps). That would mean a draft pick, or more likely an AHLer or prospect heading back to the Oilers.
- Justin Lowe

The only pieces you guys have that could land Nurse would be a no go from your end..

The only pieces you guys have that could land Nurse would be a no go from your end..
- gretzky

So what if Nurse is not playing well. Part of that is the teamattes aren't good enough, specifically defensemen. Nurse projects as a valued player even if he never becomes a strong top pairing guy. Edmonton has to hope that he works out. Why would they even consider trading him, unless they receive a ready and good dman in exchange. Top young dmen are coveted and not easily acquired. Edmonton needs to try to develop Nurse because they are not going to acquire a strong top four dman.

Anyone with common sense should be able to read the predicament Edmonton faces. It doesn't help that Nugent - Hopkins never developed into a top point scorer, since he could be a nice trading chip If he was a better player.

Loosing Sekera to Injury really hurts Edmonton. If at all possible they need to give Lucich away. If for no other reason than you rid themselves of his pricey contract.

my bold prediction: nobody on the hawks with a NMC or NTC gets moved at TDL.

1. toews, kane, crow...abs not happening
2. seab...not happening with that contract
3. keith: ya don't move a future HOFer at the TDL and he won't approve it and they won't ask
4. arte: 2 yeras left; tough to move guys with years left at the TDL; 20% chance
5. kunitz = who cares, what are they going to get a 2025 7th round pick
6. ward = nope not with crow out; unless some playoff team is in desperate of a backup and he approves

i don't see the hawks making a big TDL splash; maybe a young dman or 2 are moved

post season trade fireworks are inevitable
- bogiedoc

In regards to number 3-
A) plenty of future HOF have gotten moved at the deadline. Hell it even happened to Gretzky
B) You KNOW he won’t approve a trade? Has he actually said this?
C) you KNOW the Hawks won’t ask him? They actually said this?

And where was he when the BJ's had Washington by the nuts 0-2 last year and coughed it up in the next 4 games? He has never done much in the playoffs when the going gets tough is my point.
- RickJ

He led his team in scoring with 7 points in 6 games.

Has Mexico Hawk returned with a new handle?

He led his team in scoring with 7 points in 6 games.
- EbonyRaptor

He scored all his points in the first 3 games. Went scoreless in the last 3 games.