Has anyone thought about a trade for Nikita Zaitzev. He's asked for a trade and he's a pretty solid player. Decent cap hit and locked in for the next 5 years at 4.5m. Reports from Friedman are that the asking price for the 27-year-old blueliner is another defenseman or an asset that could be swapped to another club for a defenseman.

I'll admit that I don't watch a lot of Leafs hockey so I don't know if this guy would be a good fit on the Hawks.
- Lido_Shuffle

He is not very good!! Hard pass.

Before anyone makes the suggestion about signing MacDonald, just stop yourself.
- Elbows15

But Brandon Manning got us Caggiula ... no, I agree. I don't want him either.

AEL, thanks for the link!!

https://www.nhl.com/kings...-dion-phaneuf/c-307865906

Phaneuf bought out

Has anyone thought about a trade for Nikita Zaitzev. He's asked for a trade and he's a pretty solid player. Decent cap hit and locked in for the next 5 years at 4.5m. Reports from Friedman are that the asking price for the 27-year-old blueliner is another defenseman or an asset that could be swapped to another club for a defenseman.

I'll admit that I don't watch a lot of Leafs hockey so I don't know if this guy would be a good fit on the Hawks.
- Lido_Shuffle

I personally would not qualify Zaitzev as solid. Maybe as a bottom pairing guy with less responsibility he'd be fine, but he's been not good as a top 4 player.

Has anyone thought about a trade for Nikita Zaitzev. He's asked for a trade and he's a pretty solid player. Decent cap hit and locked in for the next 5 years at 4.5m. Reports from Friedman are that the asking price for the 27-year-old blueliner is another defenseman or an asset that could be swapped to another club for a defenseman.

I'll admit that I don't watch a lot of Leafs hockey so I don't know if this guy would be a good fit on the Hawks.
- Lido_Shuffle

What the Leafs are asking for and actually get for Zaitsev will probably disappoint them. Lengthy contract commitment and has asked for a trade ...... Why would any team offer much up other than players they don't want?

Paired with a solid defensive partner he isn't terrible. Somebody will take him at a bargain price.

Wow, Dale signed Matheson for 8 years through 25/26 at 4.875M coming off his ELC, with a NTC kicking in 21/22. Now he wants to trade him? Big red flag to me.
- boilermaker100

I know the stat tracking can be a bit questionable at times, but Mike Matheson led the NHL is giveaways last year. I don't know much about his playing situation but it seems like a guy being asked to play out of his depth. I hope they aren't shopping him to Stan.

I personally would not qualify Zaitzev as solid. Maybe as a bottom pairing guy with less responsibility he'd be fine, but he's been not good as a top 4 player.


- L_B_R

woof, thanks for the comps. I guess I need to watch more Leafs hockey.

Anybody keeping a list of defensemen the Hawks should not pursue? Today alone MacDonald, Faulk, Matheson and Zaitsev made the list. Hagg and Maantta eliminated in earlier blogs.

The West will be tough this season

CENTRAL
STL defending champ
COL up and coming
WPG and NSH still good
DAL competitive

PACIFIC
CGY and VGK probably locks for the playoffs
SJS should still be good assuming they reup the Joes and sign Karlsson
ARI improving

That's 9 teams the Hawks have to contend with. Let's hope they make some major improvements such as improving their team D, that Crawford stays healthy, that they find a capable backup goalie (not sold on Delia), that Kane, Toews and Debrincat have repeat career years, that Strome and Kahun continue to improve and that Kubalik is a pleasant surprise.
- boilermaker100

The West will always be tough.

One thing last year, playing against our own division was the one good thing. 14-8-4 we tied Nashville and Dallas for most wins against the Central and we had the fewest regulation losses in our division against our division.

We went a mediocre 16-13-3 against the East, but that Pacific division was where the playoff chances were squandered. 6-13-5 vs that division last year. That Western road trip that ended with Q being fired was the low point. We were 1-1 vs Pac beating Anaheim and losing to Arizona, but then OT loss to Edmonton, Loss to Vancouver, Loss to Edmonton again and loss to Calgary.

Myself I don't want to bank on career years from the top forwards, but hopefully more secondary scoring so the team doesn't have to lean on those guys so much. I could be way off, but I think if guys like Kane/Toews/Strome/Debrincat don't have to press so hard offensively, then they can give up less defensively. I do think it becomes a bit of a snowball effect. Press offensively to score, but give up chances and get scored on, so you have to press more offensively.

Anybody keeping a list of defensemen the Hawks should not pursue? Today alone MacDonald, Faulk, Matheson and Zaitsev made the list. Hagg and Maantta eliminated in earlier blogs.
- boilermaker100

I know you're making a joke bm, but if teams are spring cleaning all of their poop, why should the hawks be the first to jump on it? If they are GETTING RID of players, we already have in excess what they are getting rid of or slightly better in some aspects. What others teams have is not better than what we watch for 82 games.

I know you're making a joke bm, but if teams are spring cleaning all of their poop, why should the hawks be the first to jump on it? If they are GETTING RID of players, we already have in excess what they are getting rid of or slightly better in some aspects. What others teams have is not better than what we watch for 82 games.
- I Am The Breadman

Therein lies the problem. I don't want Bowman pursuing everyone's castoffs. Hawks and other teams are looking for top 4 D. Stan will have to include something of value to obtain one, maybe a certain LW.

Therein lies the problem. I don't want Bowman pursuing everyone's castoffs. Hawks and other teams are looking for top 4 D. Stan will have to include something of value to obtain one, maybe a certain LW.
- boilermaker100

Problem with that is Bowman creates a hole somewhere else and ends up with too many defencemen taking up spots and eating up Cap space. A top 4 D will not come cheap.
I would look at Phanuef who got bought out today if we could get him on a no risk, buriable, prove me deal.

Problem with that is Bowman creates a hole somewhere else and ends up with too many defencemen taking up spots and eating up Cap space. A top 4 D will not come cheap.
I would look at Phanuef who got bought out today if we could get him on a no risk, buriable, prove me deal.
- 67hawks

i would consider Dion on a one year buriable contract too

Question for Wiz & all the draft gurus, why does the NHL draft guys at a specific age, rather than wait until they complete their junior or college eligibility, or declare for the draft?

This would eliminate having a bunch of drafted players still playing in Jr., the NCAA & Europe.

Use Toews for an example. Rather than having him draft eligible, then play 1 year of NCAA, then sign an NHL contract. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to have JT play his one year at North Dakota, then declare for the draft? This would also eliminate the issue of guys getting drafted, then playing 4 years of NCAA, then becoming free agents.

Thanks!

BLOG: Greatest NHL Waiver Deal Ever?
Harvey Wittenberg looks back at the anniversary of the waiver deal that brought a legend Tony O to Chicago.

https://www.nhl.com/black...ver-deal-ever/c-307855964

From mynhltrade rumors regarding CBJ moving a defenseman...

Blue Jackets have some depth on the blue line

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: The Columbus Blue Jackets will likely be losing some key free agents this offseason. The Blue Jackets have some depth on the blue line and could tap into it to acquire some help elsewhere in a trade.

Untouchable

Seth Jones – It would take a crazy offer for them to move him.

Almost Untouchable

Zach Werenski – A RFA that could be looking for a raise, potentially in the $6.5 million range. Always the potential for contract talks to get ugly.

Tough Call

David Savard – A top-four right-handed defenseman whose value is high. Jones is their only other right-handed Dman. Would need a body back and not draft picks.

Markus Nutivaara – Would draw interest and carries a $2.7 million cap hit. The Blue Jackets still think he can improve even more. Not trading for a draft pick.

Trading low, but …

Ryan Murray – Another season battling injury. A bulging disc caused him to miss their final 26 regular season games and all 10 playoff games.

Trade value is low – a draft pick or two.

The Chicago Blackhawks are said to have some interest, and there will likely be a few others. Murray is an RFA who is owed a $2.825 million qualifying offer.

Better value to keep

Dean Kukan – A third pairing defenseman at $725,000 this season. Could listen to trade offers but may want to keep.

Vladislav Gavrikov – The Blue Jackets are high on Gavrikov. On an entry-level deal and has the ability to thrive in the league.

Murray can come cheap but his past injury history including current back problems are definitely a concern.

Savard (2 years remaining at 4.25M) and Nuttivara (3 years at 2.7M) are both RD. Savard is a 2nd pairing guy and can be a placeholder until prospects are ready. Doubt if CBJ wants Saad back. Ansismov can reunite with Torts who had him with the Rangers. Maybe add a couple of more pieces?

i would consider Dion on a one year buriable contract too
- ikeane

No thanks. He was over the hill before the Kings obtained hm from Ottawa 2 years ago. Even at a cheap buriable contract there has to be better options out there.

BTW I reordered my Draft board once again on DraftSite to keep the hits (and email complaints to me) coming!
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz, you’re giving me whiplash! I sure hope the Blackhawks have this figured out and not vacillating back and forth!

i would consider Dion on a one year buriable contract too
- ikeane

Runaround Sue? Donna the Prima Donna?

I’m in....

What is Boquvists value is in terms trading for pick right now? If we wanted Byram.

It"s been a long time.
The waiting is the hardest part
I won't back down
Else i'll be free fallin'

Re: the #3 choice is so good; we are so fortunate to have it so please do not blow it Stan

The lines above refer to songs:
Line one abbreviation BOSTON
The other lines: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

One of the all time great albums Boston
Tom Petty had some good music too

Less than two weeks away is draft day.
Comes the point of no return (Kansas)
Cozens, Turcotte, Byram the flavors on this board

Just thinking of some dmen might be available
Hickey: NYI; think Billy Joel "Piano Man"
Wishful thinking would be a Carolina dman
Comes to mind
High Tides and Green Grass "Outlaws"

I like many kinds of music but '70's was my growing up years and music was.....music before it started to change. That is some of the popular top hits back then. Maybe Outlaws were '80's.
- jhawk59

Understatement of the year.

saad and forsling for pesce and 2019 3rd or prospect could be a possible trade that Carolina would want. then have to fill saad hole in the top 6 and saad's game is well suited for the playoffs. Decisions Decisions.
- Scott1977

Easy decision. Keep Saad.

No thanks. He was over the hill before the Kings obtained hm from Ottawa 2 years ago. Even at a cheap buriable contract there has to be better options out there.
- boilermaker100

Even when he was “good”, he wasn’t.

Pass.

Therein lies the problem. I don't want Bowman pursuing everyone's castoffs. Hawks and other teams are looking for top 4 D. Stan will have to include something of value to obtain one, maybe a certain LW.
- boilermaker100

Most of the reports that we have heard about are not castoffs though. Canes d-men (at least the ones mentioned are improvements. Murray would be an improvement (if healthy), and I believe Hayes would be an improvement. It’s not like he has been linked to Lucic.

What is Boquvists value is in terms trading for pick right now? If we wanted Byram.
- gifman

Didn’t you hear? The Hawks moved ho to number 3 in the lottery.