I'm still pist about this trade as well and we're probably in the minority here. Bowman has a horrendous history of bringing in defensemen. Let's please remember before anointing our GM a hero in this trade.

1. Brandon Manning
2. Jan Rutta
3. Rob Scuderi
4. Kimmo Timmonen
5. Trevor Daley
6. Sean O'Donnell
7. Villi Pokka
8. David Runblad
Not to mention what he gave up in acquiring these flops.

And I'm sure there are more.

Only Johnny Oduya worked out and played a big part in the team's success.

I have no idea what he's going to do next but this is his time to prove himself as a GREAT GM.

If this trade and the following moves fail.....he will set this team back 10 years.

I hope he knows what he's doing.
- Hawkytalk

Not entirely accurate. I’m not a Stan defender (especially after last summer), but Rosival was also a very sneaky good pick up.

How coherent is this:

You insulted someone saying their grammar was incorrect and you in fact we're incorrect.
- wiz1901

Come for the hockey, stay for the grammar?

If Maata can help with the PK and just overall goals against than i believe it's a good move.

What can Stan get for Murphy?

Not entirely accurate. I’m not a Stan defender (especially after last summer), but Rosival was also a very sneaky good pick up.
- Marlowe

Leddy, as a 5th dman was a great trade

Just received the McKeens draft edition. They also have Byram at number 3. Their assessment is he is a potential number 1 defenseman. If this assessment is in fact the case and the Hawk scouting staff are in agreement, the Hawks have no choice but to choose him. Dach and Cozens round out the top 5. And while Cozens is getting allot of questions on this board about questionable hockey IQ, McKeens dismisses that and raves about his defensive game.

Zegras, Turcotte, Krebs, Broberg and Soderstrom are 6 to 10 respectively.

If Maata can help with the PK and just overall goals against than i believe it's a good move.

What can Stan get for Murphy?
- BetweenTheDots

I'll guess bottom 6 forward and low round draft pick.

Great article Tyler . The way you broke everything down was very informative.


Tyler if you could look into your crystal ball , whom do you see as a more than likely trade target for Chicago?


I read they seemed interested in obtaining both a LHD and a RHD ?

Does Stan pull The trigger and trade saad in any deal out of a sense to fix the defense or hold out?

I'll guess bottom 6 forward and low round draft pick.
- phantasmo

It's as if Bowman is trying to bring back Hjalmarsson. Im sure Arizona isn't talking to the Blackhawks right now after the Strome/Perlini trade

Two positives from this trade:
1. Matta should drastically improve the PK and defensive zone. It wasn’t that long ago this kid was being talked about as the next generation of great D. How do you think he got $4M a year at such a young age.

2. I don’t need to watch Kahun stick handle and chop at each side of the puck 1000 times a game!

I think it will turn out to be a great deal for the Hawks.

Wouldn’t rule out Dach.
- walleyeb1

If this is the direction the Hawks are going in then i see a very good PK center on the roster by July 1st

Just received the McKeens draft edition. They also have Byram at number 2. Their assessment is he is a potential number 1 defenseman. If this assessment is in fact the case and the Hawk scouting staff are in agreement, the Hawks have no choice but to choose him. Dach and Cozens round out the top 5. And while Cozens is getting allot of questions on this board about questionable hockey IQ, McKeens dismisses that and raves about his defensive game.

Zegras, Turcotte, Krebs, Broberg and Soderstrom are 6 to 10 respectively.
- paulr

Maybe the Rangers like him there also.

If this is the direction the Hawks are going in then i see a very good PK center on the roster by July 1st
- BetweenTheDots

To anchor the third line? They can more easily trade AA potentially after that date as well I believe.

Maybe the Rangers like him there also.
- HawkintheD

I mistyped it, McKeens rated Byram at number 3.

If it is indeed Byram as their pic, Bowman probably will, like everyone else has suggested trade a couple of those other young defenseman stockpiled possibly for a high-end young forward.
Would not be surprised to see Joki or Beaudin along with a kid like Gustavsson going to Toronto for players like Kadri, and/or Kasperi Kapanen.

If it is indeed Byram as their pic, Bowman probably will, like everyone else has suggested trade a couple of those other young defenseman stockpiled possibly for a high-end young forward.
Would not be surprised to see Joki or Beaudin along with a kid like Gustavsson going to Toronto for players like Kadri, and/or Kasperi Kapanen.
- wonthecup10

The team needs six defensemen, the argument can be made that goalie, defensemen and centers followed by wingers are the order of importance to build a team. With all the focus on forwards, where the Hawks are pretty strong, the goalie position may be the most in need of being upgraded.

The Leafs will do everything they can to keep Kapanen. One thing to watch is Marner who is still not signed and the Leafs risk losing to an offer sheet. As for Kadri the Hawks cannot afford to have a mindless loose cannon on the team.

Well Mo, I think you got your answer. Wiz took a whiz in Elbows' porridge.
- I Am The Breadman

Could be. Elbows has been surly since he was wrong on Peter Regin. Poor guy can't give away the sweater....

Could be. Elbows has been surly since he was wrong on Peter Regin. Poor guy can't give away the sweater....
- mohel

As Ben Franklin said -

Surly to bed, surly to rise....

Certainly applies to Elbows.

(Thanks to Stan Freberg)

The team needs six defensemen, the argument can be made that goalie, defensemen and centers followed by wingers are the order of importance to build a team. With all the focus on forwards, where the Hawks are pretty strong, the goalie position may be the most in need of being upgraded.

The Leafs will do everything they can to keep Kapanen. One thing to watch is Marner who is still not signed and the Leafs risk losing to an offer sheet. As for Kadri the Hawks cannot afford to have a mindless loose cannon on the team.
- paulr

If the Hawks can solidify their 3rd and 4th forward lines either from players within their system now or thru trades using some of their excess minimum wage young defenceman as trade chips, they will be a much better team this year.

And that backup goaltender position needs to be thought thru carefully. They may think they have what they need with guys in the system now - but who knows?

If Maata can help with the PK and just overall goals against than i believe it's a good move.

What can Stan get for Murphy?
- BetweenTheDots

Kapanen?

Looks as if Erik Karlsson will be staying in San Jose...8yrs/88M.

Looks as if Erik Karlsson will be staying in San Jose...8yrs/88M.
- frafra

Their GM couldn't let him go after the price he paid to get him. 11 million a year for 8 years...huge mistake.

Edit: Actually I guess it is reported to be north of 11 million per year.

heres the hawks answer to their defense...

https://www.nhl.com/news/...uf-bought-out/c-307865994

Driving in this morning, NHL Radio had one of the Penguins beat writers on. He said Maata last year was slow on straight away speed, his turns, etc. are still there. He didn't know if the straight away speed issue was because of injury. He said Maata is a very smart hockey player and if he plays to potential the Hawks will be very happy the picked him up. He said Maata was traded because they needed the cap space, and no one wants Jack Johnson and the Kessel trade fell through.

and here is your tired old retread coach hire for this sinking ship

https://www.nhl.com/news/...kins-as-coach/c-307873432