Trading Hayden on his own would yield nothing better than a 4th at best and more likely a 5th rounder. The rest of the league has had ample sightings of his skating issues - namely lack of foot speed. He really is a minor league player - or a 13th forward on a poor NHL team.
- RickJ

yeah, Rick, my point was as high as 5th is...generous.

I have no inside track on the reason Joki was sent down but the fact is that by keeping Joki below 40 games played in the NHL they in effect "bought" themselves one more RFA year of Joki. If he had played 40+ games, he would have become UFA 1 year sooner than he will now because he was held under 40 NHL games.

I think that could have been and probably was the reason Joki was sent down more so than because Colliton didn't like him. But I could be wrong.
- EbonyRaptor

My thoughts too.

It's unlikely LA or Buffalo give up two firsts for Chicago's 3rd overall, unless they have someone ranked extremely highly or if Chicago includes something to go along with the third overall.
- paulr

I think no trade gets made but also know that the PRICE to move to three slot is much higher than most ogg us think, not just this year but most.

I am not sure a door to slot seven is balanced by their late first rounder, not to dismiss this strong draft class where I do think there will be nice choices late in the round, but...not so sure slots #30 -38 are much different, and the Hawks might get very lucky at who is still there at 42...so is that what we need, another guy to develop, and who is there at seven?
Kirby Dach IS a player, and who knows if Podkolzin Zegras are still there...I like the Hawks being forced to make a sound decision and get the best player there at #3, and it will give everyone here a decade of second guessing...

Brandon Saad made the Athletic's top 20 trade candidates.

Maybe they read my blog? Hmmmm....

Brandon Saad made the Athletic's top 20 trade candidates.

Maybe they read my blog? Hmmmm....
- Tyler Cameron

I still find that whole notion comical. Draft Saad. Trade Saad. Trade again to bring Saad back. And now may trade Saad again?? The guy is built for the forecheck heavy game we see in the Stanley Cup. Big/strong/fast and can score. If he goes? It simply becomes another hole to fill.

I still find that whole notion comical. Draft Saad. Trade Saad. Trade again to bring Saad back. And now may trade Saad again?? The guy is built for the forecheck heavy game we see in the Stanley Cup. Big/strong/fast and can score. If he goes? It simply becomes another hole to fill.
- z1990z

Unless he’s part of a package that brings back a stud D-man, there’s no point in trading him.

Unless he’s part of a package that brings back a stud D-man, there’s no point in trading him.
- Ogilthorpe2

Would like to see a line of Saad AA and Perlini in the pre-season. Dump it. Get it. Cycle it. Repeat. Every team needs a line like that. AA is another guy I would be careful dumping too quickly. Again he is a guy that fills a niche this team really lacks. That being the go to the net guy. He is not great at the dot, but the guy plays a style we need. Would depend on who arrives in FA or what a possible trade would bring back. All trades now need to be HOCKEY trades. Not the dump for picks and cap space.

Would like to see a line of Saad AA and Perlini in the pre-season. Dump it. Get it. Cycle it. Repeat. Every team needs a line like that. AA is another guy I would be careful dumping too quickly. Again he is a guy that fills a niche this team really lacks. That being the go to the net guy. He is not great at the dot, but the guy plays a style we need. Would depend on who arrives in FA or what a possible trade would bring back. All trades now need to be HOCKEY trades. Not the dump for picks and cap space.
- z1990z

is Perlini a cycle type guy?

is Perlini a cycle type guy?
- glennjpawlak22

With his size and speed combo? I would think so. The possession/run-n-gun style has its benefits, but as we see in the playoffs that ice shrinks. Teams need to be able to play both styles. If JC tells Perlini that he needs to be a grinder guy, so be it.

is Perlini a cycle type guy?
- glennjpawlak22

What Perlini has shown to date is that he is inconsistent or to put it another way - he is unreliable. The hope is that a 22 year old under achieving 1st round pick will have the light bulb go on and find a way to consistently use his considerable physical gifts. But, until he does I don't think you can count on him holding down a regular spot in the lineup.

is Perlini a cycle type guy?
- glennjpawlak22

Make him one. If he wants an NHL gig with the Blackhawks and if he wants to advance his career he will learn. A player cannot be coached to be an elite playmaker or goalscorer but, if he's willing to work at it, can be strong defensively and learn to cycle the puck in the offensive zone.

I still find that whole notion comical. Draft Saad. Trade Saad. Trade again to bring Saad back. And now may trade Saad again?? The guy is built for the forecheck heavy game we see in the Stanley Cup. Big/strong/fast and can score. If he goes? It simply becomes another hole to fill.
- z1990z

The grass is greener on the other side of the fence view.
Every blog features "get rid of everybody on our side for peanuts" while salivating at players other teams are willing to trade away.

Brandon Saad made the Athletic's top 20 trade candidates.

Maybe they read my blog? Hmmmm....
- Tyler Cameron

Wiz mention saad AA and probably a d prospect would that be enough to get a d man like truboa? more than likely jets don't sign him because I imo he doesn't want to play there. IMO I said it before that Hawks are going to make a big trade or signing that no sees coming kinda like smaltz for strome perlini trade. Justin question if bryam is there at 3 and L.A. wants him bad and are willing to trade their 5th and 22nd plus kempe do you think the hawks would make that trade? If so then the hawks get Turcotte or cozens at 5 plus possible spencer knight if he falls to 22 and bottom 6 winger who has upside.

is Perlini a cycle type guy?
- glennjpawlak22

If he doesn't learn he'll be a star in Europe sooner than he thinks.

If he doesn't learn he'll be a star in Europe sooner than he thinks.
- 6628

Sad isn't it? A guy who's 6'3" over 200 with great wheels and shot doesn't have the heart of Andrew Shaw.

With his size and speed combo? I would think so. The possession/run-n-gun style has its benefits, but as we see in the playoffs that ice shrinks. Teams need to be able to play both styles. If JC tells Perlini that he needs to be a grinder guy, so be it.
- z1990z

Well Said - Blues really shrunk the ice the last game against Bruins. Boston had a very difficult time carrying in the puck and even completing a pass. I think they will correct that next game, but yes, cycle is KEY to playing deep in the tournament - SAAD plays this game

I still find that whole notion comical. Draft Saad. Trade Saad. Trade again to bring Saad back. And now may trade Saad again?? The guy is built for the forecheck heavy game we see in the Stanley Cup. Big/strong/fast and can score. If he goes? It simply becomes another hole to fill.
- z1990z

We are paying 6 mil for 3rd line player (on this team at least).

With Trouba and Llaine available (the later wants out) I wonder what it would take to land both? Saad, a top d prospect, our 3rd? More?

2 months ago on here Keith was a 4-5-6 Dman at best and a running joke about hitting shin pads with his powder puff shot and having a bad attitude. Magically he has become the type of player who can attract a Vinnie Trocheck or Jonathan Huberdeau in trade. The trade hasn't happened yet because Stan is holding out hard for both Barkov and Ekblad as the returning pieces.

#2 moves when he alone okays it. If he goes to that f'n hockey outpost in Miami it will be on his terms. I can see it happening and the return will be draft picks mainly and some middle of the road prospect.
- RickJ

I don't know when he changed from a guy hitting shin pads with his pea shooter and being a 3-4 on a true cup contender.

Fact is he and Saad are probably their best 2 trade chips that they may be willing to take. Nobody is taking Seabrook without retained salary, taking back a Rusty Olesz bomb of a contract or giving up a high end prospect to make it go away (bickell/Teuvo time)

Might be the summer Bowman goes Armstrong and gets rid of some of the veteran cliques in the room and starts a new.

Fact they are sniffing around centers....shows.....they are looking at top 6 type talent and very much may have reservations about guys producing at the same rate they did last year......wonder if the Hawks are off THEIR meds?

We are paying 6 mil for 3rd line player (on this team at least).

With Trouba and Llaine available (the later wants out) I wonder what it would take to land both? Saad, a top d prospect, our 3rd? More?
- gifman

Probably DeBrincat. He has to sell that trade to his bosses.

Saad isn't getting either unless Winnipeg has a cap/internal budget problem and they have to sell.

We are paying 6 mil for 3rd line player (on this team at least).

With Trouba and Llaine available (the later wants out) I wonder what it would take to land both? Saad, a top d prospect, our 3rd? More?
- gifman

If they decide to trade him again, it better be worthwhile and hopefully it brings back a top 4 D. If the Hawks are serious about making a return to the playoffs, any trades must bring back usable players that are plug/play. We cannot have prospects coming back that are 2 years away from anything.

Brandon Saad made the Athletic's top 20 trade candidates.

Maybe they read my blog? Hmmmm....
- Tyler Cameron

IF you read APs work out of Columbus the Jackets were very happy to deal him back to Chicago.

You throw in his body of work in Columbus and his 2nd tour in Chicago.....and you get a very disappointing player being paid to produce more.

He also doesn't have any movement clauses so he's a helluva lot easier to deal.

If they decide to trade him again, it better be worthwhile and hopefully it brings back a top 4 D. If the Hawks are serious about making a return to the playoffs, any trades must bring back usable players that are plug/play. We cannot have prospects coming back that are 2 years away from anything.
- z1990z

I agree with this. I just don't know if Saad alone fetches you a top 4 D man...Would Calgary or Carolina give up 1 for Saad. Everyone in the NHL sees the same film?

Sad isn't it? A guy who's 6'3" over 200 with great wheels and shot doesn't have the heart of Andrew Shaw.
- paulr

The story of so many NHL players.....might have had the talent to be very good but isn't willing to put in the work to improve his game and adapt to the NHL.

HE's a maddening player. One game you see the upside and think he could be a Ladd type player in regards to production, the next game he reminds me of a Patrick Poulin.

I agree with this. I just don't know if Saad alone fetches you a top 4 D man...Would Calgary or Carolina give up 1 for Saad. Everyone in the NHL sees the same film?
- SteveRain

I am sure that Saad alone (at his salary) won't bring back a top 4 D in a trade. I'm betting that one of the D prospects might have to go in that trade. That being said, our D is so bad that if a Saad/prospect deal does bring back a top 4 D who can handle heavy minutes I think you have to do that trade.

People need to stop considering Saad a 3rd liner because he really isn't.

He may have lined up on the 3rd line for part of the year, but the truth is he averaged 4th in minutes for Blackhawks forwards last season behind Kane/Toews/Debrincat (essentially tied Debrincat as only one second separated them). He was 3rd behind Kane and Toews for Even Strength ice-time up front.

Saad is one of the more important forwards for the Hawks, even if he moves up and down the lineup. It would be like calling Kane a second line player when he doesn't play on line 1. Or calling AA a first line C when he has Kane on his wing. It just isn't so. Saad is quickly becoming one of the more under appreciated players on this roster. 4th in goals for the Hawks over the last 2 seasons (that is with his poor production in that first season back) and tied with Kane with 11 Game Winning Goals. Add in the fact that he was one of the only forwards who didn't suck on the PK. If they trade him away, I hope it isn't at a discount, because this team needs guys like him.