TC, what's your take on Hawks FO on the Goalie position? I'm assuming they are waiting to see if Crawford clears protocol this year or a LTIR candidate for next year.

I root for Delia (partially bc Hawks D was so bad a few games back), but I don't feel like he's the answer for a playoff team/Cup run. I might be totally wrong, and he can turn out to be the next Belfour, but I don't see it (just my opinion). Great kid & work ethic....and would still sign as backup.

However, do you see the Hawks trading for a G prospect from another team? A mid-level FA goalie like Talbot or Lehner? Or would Hawks consider doing a "Hossa" trade and package mid-level prospects/picks to move 1yr of Crawford contract (who would either play or LTIR) to free up $ for free agency?

If Gardiner doesn't have the game he did against Boston in the playoffs, do we really see a defensive deficiency of that magnitude? I am from the camp that if you focus squarely on one player, you start to nit pick. Look at the Leddy's, Gustafson's etc.

Gardiner is a +17 and on top of that, the Leafs as a team are not the best defensive minded group. Erik Karlsson is a defensive liability and he will be getting a massive payday, I don't see the issue with giving Gardiner 7 mil.
- nickmo2699

Watch Gardiner play five games and you'll see it. I watch most Leaf games. Gardiner's offensive skills are elite no one will question that. But watch him in his end when the Leafs are under pressure. He stands around with one had on his stick, not blocking passing or shooting lanes, he's just standing there doing nothing. Then you look at his compete level, he's not a small guy but he loses the majority of his puck battles.

Gardiner will make his $7M no doubt, but that team will not be a contender.

How do you know that isn't the best offer he got for Muzzin? You all assume teams could get more but have no actual proof that is the case.
- GPHawksfan

No proof, do you play poker, i don't assume anything, but i do know Blake had all the power in this deal and to fold your hand this early shame on Blake

No proof, do you play poker, i don't assume anything, but i do know Blake had all the power in this deal and to fold your hand this early shame on Blake
- BetweenTheDots

Ever think that maybe Blake got more than he anticipated for Muzzin and then made the deal?

Win now, worry about it later.

Tavares is a very good hockey player, they will dump Nylander to offset the cash/cap consequences.
- RickJ

What would a Nylander dump plus the final year of Horton's LTIR be worth to the Leafs? That would give them lots of room to take care of their July 1 needs.

Bowman could absorb that contract and LTIR Horton at season start next year. Maybe it is time to take a realistic look at where his club is at and take advantage of the opportunities out there.

Babcock was asked during the 2010 Olympics who his best player was and his reply was whatever player is playing with Toews. Same can be said about Marner. Whatever line Marner is on is the Leafs' best line. And add to that Marner lifted his game in the playoffs against Boston last season while matthews looked very ordinary.
- paulr

If Mathews fails in the playoffs this year you can bet the Toronto press will make the kid's life miserable and the fan base will turn on him like they have on Gardiner.

What I want to see is how he does in a playoff series when big nasty defenceman like Chara, Weber, Buff, Hedman and a few others who hit to hurt are in his face every night and guys like Marchant cheap shot him.

That's what Chicago fans forget about Toews, he took the game to Chara and Pronger and all those #1 defenceman in those Cup years and accepted the pounding to win. And Crosby and Malkin did the same. Mathews willing to do that? Show me!

Win now, worry about it later.

Tavares is a very good hockey player, they will dump Nylander to offset the cash/cap consequences.
- RickJ

I agree he's a good center, and this will create a match up night mare for any team, since who does Bergeron play against, can he double shift and play against Matthews and Tavares? But when they signed Tavares i felt like they had to many holes on the back end and all the premium forwards entering RFA. So hard to out score teams in the playoffs. I saw this as a Cubs move in the past, thinking one player was going to get them over the top. We'll see

Stan can say we are in a rebuild. He can say we are tanking. But he won't.

He would love to move AA just for the cap space. If there is any interest it might be for a 3rd or 4th round pick.

If Kruger, Kunitz or Ward wanted to be moved he would accommodate them but get almost nothing back.

He could move a defender or two. Maybe Forsling can get you a 4th round pick or a prospect.

The rest of the fringe players are so cheap there is no urgency to move them.

They could take on an expiring contract if another attractive piece was attached to it.

I just do not see that a major move is likely. Try to move AA, Kruger, Kunitz and Ward if you can at any price. Move an extra defender or two. Sign your RFA's at cheap prices. Sign a stud forward and a top pairing defender in the offseason and select well near the top of the draft.

Honestly, the Hawks know where they are and what they are. What they say in press release is one thing, but this is year two of the rebuild already. The team only signed stop gap players in the off-season to fill holes, create competition and try to stay competitive for the fans.

Every year, every team says they want to be in the playoffs and in the mix, but the GM and FO know what they have. Stan hasn't been sitting on his hands, we've seen trades already this season.

I think the Hawks are ahead of the Kings in facing reality.

Who went out this summer and signed Kovalchuk to a 3 year contract for over 6 million per season?

Last season who traded for Phaneuf?

The Kings have been acting like a team that can't admit they have to start to rebuild. The Hawks started the process almost two seasons ago.

What would a Nylander dump plus the final year of Horton's LTIR be worth to the Leafs? That would give them lots of room to take care of their July 1 needs.

Bowman could absorb that contract and LTIR Horton at season start next year. Maybe it is time to take a realistic look at where his club is at and take advantage of the opportunities out there.
- 67hawks

Nylander is a good player, on another team. I hope Bowman doesn't try to acquire him. He isn't the type of guy you'd want to build your team around.

Ever think that maybe Blake got more than he anticipated for Muzzin and then made the deal?
- paulr

Then i guess i think Muzzin is more valuable to a playoff team then Blake does, now I'm starting to feel bad for the Kings.

Most impressive is that LA Kings GM back in the day did not sign some of his players to ridiculous contracts with NTC thrown in so they represent attractive target. So they did not pay for past cups with future contracts as some fans here try to justify Bowman signings, and thus did not handicap the team.
Now Kings will dive to higher draft pick (chances to land Hughes go up) and they also have Toronto 20-30 pick and some decent prospects to boot while Hawks are stuck in Detroit 2014 mode.
- vshun

Your post is not correct. Dustin Brown? Marion Gaborik (who became Neon Dion)? Lombardi passed out a few killer loyalty contracts that have haunted the Kings. Brown has a limited NTC, not that anyone would trade for him. That's about the only saving grace with Lombardi's contracts.

Win now, worry about it later.

Tavares is a very good hockey player, they will dump Nylander to offset the cash/cap consequences.
- RickJ

Im thinking Marleau but one thing is for certain, it's going to be an interesting summer

I am undoubtedly sure almost everyone out there will ask if I am out of my effin mind. I say the Hawks should find a way to send Toews to his hometown of Winnipeg along with Seabrook and eat some of his salary for Ehlers and a couple of draft picks. Johnny has had a bounce back season but there is no denying he is not worth 10.5 MM, Seabrook is alike a car with 300,000 miles on it, it may start up and drive around the block but it is leaking oil and other fluids everywhere. This opens up a bit of cap space and gives us a young left winger. I understand we may need to eat some of Tazer's contract as well to fit everything under the cap but it is worth a shot...can't be worse than where we are now.

Then i guess i think Muzzin is more valuable to a playoff team then Blake does, now I'm starting to feel bad for the Kings.
- BetweenTheDots

Armchair GMs are the best. Apply for Blake's job I'm sure the salary is a little more than you make.

Then i guess i think Muzzin is more valuable to a playoff team then Blake does, now I'm starting to feel bad for the Kings.
- BetweenTheDots

the problem for LA is that Muzzin was one of their only tradeable players that they could get a return, they only have Taffoli and maybe Martinez. Also, I wouldn't say trading Tanner Pearson for Carl Hagelin smelled rebuild earlier this year

If Mathews fails in the playoffs this year you can bet the Toronto press will make the kid's life miserable and the fan base will turn on him like they have on Gardiner.

What I want to see is how he does in a playoff series when big nasty defenceman like Chara, Weber, Buff, Hedman and a few others who hit to hurt are in his face every night and guys like Marchant cheap shot him.

That's what Chicago fans forget about Toews, he took the game to Chara and Pronger and all those #1 defenceman in those Cup years and accepted the pounding to win. And Crosby and Malkin did the same. Mathews willing to do that? Show me!
- RickJ

Great point Rick! I also want to see Marner put together a playoff like last year in more than one round when the intensity ramps up. If you read the book by Custance "Behind the Bench", there is a great chapter on Q where he talks about Game 6 in Philly in 2010, Toews would not have played Game 7 his knee was toast.

I am undoubtedly sure almost everyone out there will ask if I am out of my effin mind. I say the Hawks should find a way to send Toews to his hometown of Winnipeg along with Seabrook and eat some of his salary for Ehlers and a couple of draft picks. Johnny has had a bounce back season but there is no denying he is not worth 10.5 MM, Seabrook is alike a car with 300,000 miles on it, it may start up and drive around the block but it is leaking oil and other fluids everywhere. This opens up a bit of cap space and gives us a young left winger. I understand we may need to eat some of Tazer's contract as well to fit everything under the cap but it is worth a shot...can't be worse than where we are now.
- Chisoxhawk

Toews to Winnipeg.

Kane to Buffalo.

Rename the team Chicago Ice Hogs.

Play before 5000 fans.

All good.

I am undoubtedly sure almost everyone out there will ask if I am out of my effin mind. I say the Hawks should find a way to send Toews to his hometown of Winnipeg along with Seabrook and eat some of his salary for Ehlers and a couple of draft picks. Johnny has had a bounce back season but there is no denying he is not worth 10.5 MM, Seabrook is alike a car with 300,000 miles on it, it may start up and drive around the block but it is leaking oil and other fluids everywhere. This opens up a bit of cap space and gives us a young left winger. I understand we may need to eat some of Tazer's contract as well to fit everything under the cap but it is worth a shot...can't be worse than where we are now.
- Chisoxhawk

I wouldn't trade Toews. I think he is having a great year and this may prove that he was banged up over the last couple of seasons. I don't see Toews or Kane going anywhere. We need those two to bring along the new younger Hawks.

Yeah, I think he'll be the next Shattenkirk. Hopefully Stan is smart enough to stay away from him and Myers both.
- Davewn

Also, of our Top 5 prospects 3 or 4 of them are D-men. We need forwards much, much more. One goos D-man already established would be OK. But, Gardiner is NOT that guy. We are a couple years away. Please don't sacrifice our future for some lame attempt to patch up the present. It will not end well....

Great point Rick! I also want to see Marner put together a playoff like last year in more than one round when the intensity ramps up. If you read the book by Custance "Behind the Bench", there is a great chapter on Q where he talks about Game 6 in Philly in 2010, Toews would not have played Game 7 his knee was toast.
- nickmo2699

Thanks for reminding me of that. Toews is more than a salary and cap hit in the annals of Blackhawk hockey history. As is Duncan Keith and some of the other players fans now want to dump as hockey trash.

i expect minor TDL moves...

with crow out: ward stays
kruger and kunitz = who cares; might want to keep krugs and sign him to a year deal
seab and keith not going anywhere unless the deal is eye popping and they agree; i suspect hawks brass is very loyal and wants them both to retire hawks
maybe a heyden type guy is moved or a dman or 2...

i would expect all the action this summer

I am undoubtedly sure almost everyone out there will ask if I am out of my effin mind. I say the Hawks should find a way to send Toews to his hometown of Winnipeg along with Seabrook and eat some of his salary for Ehlers and a couple of draft picks. Johnny has had a bounce back season but there is no denying he is not worth 10.5 MM, Seabrook is alike a car with 300,000 miles on it, it may start up and drive around the block but it is leaking oil and other fluids everywhere. This opens up a bit of cap space and gives us a young left winger. I understand we may need to eat some of Tazer's contract as well to fit everything under the cap but it is worth a shot...can't be worse than where we are now.
- Chisoxhawk

Why would the Jets do that though? They have their own young players to sign and already have a number one center that is cheaper and better than Toews is anymore. Seabrook would cost the hawks Jokiharju or better to unload him.

Kings got a great return. Really was hoping for a 1st and grundstrom for Keith. Sucks!

Also, of our Top 5 prospects 3 or 4 of them are D-men. We need forwards much, much more. One goos D-man already established would be OK. But, Gardiner is NOT that guy. We are a couple years away. Please don't sacrifice our future for some lame attempt to patch up the present. It will not end well....
- hawk35

Yep, time to start building some scoring depth and try to get a high end winger.