Dominant player in the World Juniors at 17 or 18 and now he stinks? Has something to do with the Oilers I think. Stan should do that deal in a heartbeat.
- RickJ

And something to do with Jesse himself. Yes he was dominant among juniors. Kind of..Sebastian Aho was the brain in his line at U20´s in 2016. It´s the lack of hockey IQ that is holding him back to be top 6 forward with men. You need more than size, speed and shot to be effective.

Oilers had discussion with Markus Lehto, agent for Jesse Puljujarvi today. Team is open to trading him if a proper return can be found, and in the meantime an AHL stint to help boost offence and confidence is being considered. No decisions yet.

There is no reason to sign Ward again. Fine, he has had a nice stretch of games but this is his pattern. He will play well for a bit but will revert back to his career norms.
- Elbows15

Who would you rather sign as a UFA? Mike Smith will be available, is he any better? (and 2 years older). Howard (will want too much money)Darling (if he is bought out), Mraxek, McIlhany, Neuverth, Elliott?, I can go on. Ward is just as good as the above (and arguably more stable mentally). I am not saying Ward is a #1 goalie, but what the hawks need next year, he is a good fit. Or you think if CC gets hurt, Delia and Forsberg will be able to carry the load?

Look at us go. In 30 minutes we've managed to generate a fair trade offer. Kinda makes you wonder what the heck Stan Bowman actually does.
- Rota's Rooter

Yes! It only took one Cuba Libre and I came with that offer. It´s not that hard. Stan should be drinking too to get creative.

17 & 91. Enough said. I would take a flyer on him if it doesn't cost a ton. Just my opinion.
- frafra

And possibly Koekkoek - showing hopeful signs.

And something to do with Jesse himself. Yes he was dominant among juniors. Kind of..Sebastian Aho was the brain in his line at U20´s in 2016. It´s the lack of hockey IQ that is holding him back to be top 6 forward with men. You need more than size, speed and shot to be effective.
- MjulQvist

Perlini doesnt grade out as a genius in the hockey IQ category either. Sykura is meh too. The trade would just be shuffling deck chairs.

If you want to take risk with Puljujärvi you have to give more than Perlini to get it done. Sikura is nice asset to have but I just don´t see him being part of the group going forward. At least get there where Bowman wants this team to be in 18-24 months. Yes, you might have the same case with Puljujärvi also..
- MjulQvist

Then let someone else pay too much for him.

Perlini doesnt grade out as a genius in the hockey IQ category either. Sykura is meh too. The trade would just be shuffling deck chairs.
- RickJ

IMO he's really dishonoring the fabled number 11 worn by Dougie Mohns and Johnny Marks.

IMO he's really dishonoring the fabled number 11 worn by Dougie Mohns and Johnny Marks.
- Rota's Rooter

Jeff Shantz, and Jack Skille

Who would you rather sign as a UFA? Mike Smith will be available, is he any better? (and 2 years older). Howard (will want too much money)Darling (if he is bought out), Mraxek, McIlhany, Neuverth, Elliott?, I can go on. Ward is just as good as the above (and arguably more stable mentally). I am not saying Ward is a #1 goalie, but what the hawks need next year, he is a good fit. Or you think if CC gets hurt, Delia and Forsberg will be able to carry the load?
- LAHawk

Back up goalies are a dime a dozen. They can find one cheaper. If not, roll with Delia and Forsberg or the other dude if Crawford gets hurt. They aren't winning a Cup next season, either.

Jeff Shantz, and Jack Skille
- LAHawk

Wasnt Kane's limo running mate #11 - Madden?

Then let someone else pay too much for him.
- Elbows15

Yes. Dream of Puljujärvi to blossom in Hawks jersey makes me do silly proposals.

Probably to keep his total number of games in the nhl down (70 ibeleive to two previous years) so they aren’t forced to expose him to Seattle
- Abadseed

Expansion draft is two years from this summer. The 70 games played over 2 seasons, 40 games played in one season clock begins next year.

Hawks could keep him under those limits by for example playing him 34 and 34 games the next two years, but he'll still be eligible for the expansion draft because he'll have 3 years in... this year and the next two.

Edit: Referring to Joki

Perlini doesnt grade out as a genius in the hockey IQ category either. Sykura is meh too. The trade would just be shuffling deck chairs.
- RickJ

I disagree re: Sikura. I think he has a very good hockey IQ but not the physical strength to use it to it's fullest. Perlini seems to be just the opposite with the physical tools but not the hockey IQ to use them.

Back up goalies are a dime a dozen. They can find one cheaper. If not, roll with Delia and Forsberg or the other dude if Crawford gets hurt. They aren't winning a Cup next season, either.
- Elbows15

I agree they do not have a Stanley Cup roster, but you also don't want to set up your roster to fail (or tank). The difference between Ward and a Goalie at minimum salary is $2mil, the Hawks have the cap room. Also you are assuming Crawford will be healthy all next year, which is a big assumption. Delia has promise, but I am not convinced he is ready to be a #1 yet.

I disagree re: Sikura. I think he has a very good hockey IQ but not the physical strength to use it to it's fullest. Perlini seems to be just the opposite with the physical tools but not the hockey IQ to use them.
- EbonyRaptor

Sikura does nothing for me, hockey IQ or otherwise.

I think it is going to be up to Ward, if he wants to play, the Hawks will sign him, if CC can play, Delia's contract can be fully buried if he goes to Rockford
- LAHawk

Yeh but he would have to pass through waivers which is a huge gamble.

Sikura does nothing for me, hockey IQ or otherwise.
- RickJ

Seconded! Maybe Boston’s GM likes him from the Beanpot tourney. Too weak to play in the NHL right now.

Yeh but he would have to pass through waivers which is a huge gamble.
- tyweb69

I didn't know he was subject to waivers

I didn't know he was subject to waivers
- LAHawk

He isn't

I agree they do not have a Stanley Cup roster, but you also don't want to set up your roster to fail (or tank). The difference between Ward and a Goalie at minimum salary is $2mil, the Hawks have the cap room. Also you are assuming Crawford will be healthy all next year, which is a big assumption. Delia has promise, but I am not convinced he is ready to be a #1 yet.
- LAHawk

You're assuming I am assuming. I even stated they could roll with what they have in the system if Crawford is injured.

If the Hawks can move him at the TDL, they should do it then. Why wait at all? Move him and his contract so that frees guaranteed money up to use this summer. I like Anisimov, but I do not see him being with this team the next time they are legitimate contenders. Just my opinion.
- frafra

Hawks could always pay the $2 mil bonus. That would make him more attractive and possibly up the return.

Sikura does nothing for me, hockey IQ or otherwise.
- RickJ

Well ... yeah. Einstein on skates isn't going to do much for me either.

Well ... yeah. Einstein on skates isn't going to do much for me either.
- EbonyRaptor

Well ... yeah. Einstein on skates isn't going to do much for me either.
- EbonyRaptor

who knew...