I was "okay" with the trade, even though I liked Forsling. He was consistent, but had flashes. I wish him the best! De Haan is injured? That's great. Maatta was injured too, right? They need to heal quickly & contribute because I'm still on the fence for both trades.
- I Am The Breadman

Both Maatta and DeHaan are upgrades to the blueline - and neither transaction cost the Hawks a significant amount in either roster players or cap space. Perhaps not the sexiest of deals to be made out there - but I see what Bowman is doing with these moves and I like where this is trending.

How about this trade:

Hawks trade Gustafsson, Anisimov, Dahlstrom and a 2020 2nd round pick to Toronto for Nylander and a 2020 4th round pick.
- Flying Puck

Nylander is soft.

Somebody on Twitter posted the Colliton and De Haan were teammates for the Islanders AHL team in 11-12.
- DarthKane

They were. Colliton might have that former teammate thing follow him around a bit for the next few years. ha.

The Leafs are paying $1.2M of his salary so I'm not sure what his cap hit is. But I would take him in a flash if the trade made sense. Pens need guys on ELC's and draft picks.
- RickJ

His cap hit is 6.8M

OK ... so other than trimming one or two from the glut of d-men on the roster - is that it on the d-side of the off season improvement project? I think it's fair to say it has been improved in both 5v5 defense and PK ... but is it enough where now the focus shifts to forwards? My opinion is yes, it has improved enough so that now whatever remaining cap space can be used for the 2019/20 roster should be spent on improving the forward lines/depth.

Thoughts?

Boqvist
- Flying Puck

So it’s gonna come from someone with currently zero career pts?

Move Gus and where does the offense come from on the blueline??

Which defenseman commands the top PP unit?

Much better option is moving Murphy. I’d trade him and AA. Then acquire Pavelski and possibly Tanev too. Then our roster top to bottom would be among the leagues best, especially if Dach is the real deal.
- SimpleJack

Jokiharju.

The Hawks have to get use to life without Gus eventually, they might as well do it now and get something in return for him.

Nylander is soft.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah plz no Nylander

Nylander is soft.
- Ogilthorpe2

...and not worth his cap hit.

Any chance that Stan can pry Zach Hyman out of Toronto?
- Bjm84

I fully endorse this plan!

Hyman or Brown would be solid depth pick-ups. Plus Toronto could use Gustafsson after they lose Gardiner.
- DarthKane

Hyman isn't depth to the Leafs - he was a top 4 TOI player both at 5v5 and overall. He played primarily with Tavares-Marner on the top line.

Brown would be depth pick-up.

Nylander is soft.
- Ogilthorpe2

Vegas has officially re-signed Karlsson - 8 years at $5.9 million per. That’s a steal!

Jokiharju.

The Hawks have to get use to life without Gus eventually, they might as well do it now and get something in return for him.
- DarthKane

Jokiharju doesn’t have the offensive abilities of Gus. Gus was one of the top 5-10 offensive Dman in the NHL last season, no way Jokiharju is ready to produce on that level/play that role.

Why do they need to get used to life without him eventually I don’t get it??

Jokiharju.

The Hawks have to get use to life without Gus eventually, they might as well do it now and get something in return for him.
- DarthKane

Both Maatta and DeHaan are upgrades to the blueline - and neither transaction cost the Hawks a significant amount in either roster players or cap space. Perhaps not the sexiest of deals to be made out there - but I see what Bowman is doing with these moves and I like where this is trending.
- Chief4Feathers

I see what he's doing too, but I'm keeping my skepticals on about both acquisitions.

Hyman isn't depth to the Leafs - he was a top 4 TOI player both at 5v5 and overall. He played primarily with Tavares-Marner on the top line.

Brown would be depth pick-up.
- L_B_R

True, but as well know teams in salary cap crunches have to give up players they’d rather not.

Depends on what thy give up. It would be a course change to go after Kessel at this point. My concern would be is the fall coming for Phil? He will 32 when the season starts and there have always been questions about his conditioning. The SOB puts up points, tho.
- Elbows15

He plays 82 games every season and puts the puck in the net. Last 2 seasons 82 and 92 points. That BS about his conditioning was started by the losers in Toronto and it isnt fact.

I would take him in a flash if it was a relatively even trade. The kid likes to win.

Jokiharju doesn’t have the offensive abilities of Gus. Gus was one of the top 5-10 offensive Dman in the NHL last season, no way Jokiharju is ready to produce on that level/play that role.

Why do they need to get used to life without him eventually I don’t get it??
- SimpleJack

They won’t be able to re-sign Gus in 2020 when he becomes a UFA.

- HawkintheD

Enjoying the Lavender?

Jokiharju doesn’t have the offensive abilities of Gus. Gus was one of the top 5-10 offensive Dman in the NHL last season, no way Jokiharju is ready to produce on that level/play that role.

Why do they need to get used to life without him eventually I don’t get it??
- SimpleJack

Because he’s gonna want a big raise next year, and it’s silly to pay big bucks to defenseman who can’t play defense.

I fully endorse this plan!
- I Am The Breadman

I’m sure you do.

He plays 82 games every season and puts the puck in the net. Last 2 seasons 82 and 92 points. That BS about his conditioning was started by the losers in Toronto and it isnt fact.

I would take him in a flash if it was a relatively even trade. The kid likes to win.
- RickJ

He got blamed for everything in Toronto.

I see what he's doing too, but I'm keeping my skepticals on about both acquisitions.
- I Am The Breadman

Yes, no problem. There is risk - as both players have a history with injury - but Stan is being pretty shrewd about picking these guys up for bottom roster players and marginal cap hit. It might not work - but I like what he’s doing right now.

Jokiharju.

The Hawks have to get use to life without Gus eventually, they might as well do it now and get something in return for him.
- DarthKane

Yes. Joki has run PP1 his entire hockey career and having a Right shot in Joki on the point gives the Hawks 2 threats for a 1 Timer when Kane is in his office on the RW Hash. He can dish to Cat or Joki. I think that Joki can be just as effective getting his shot on goal and walking the line. Those are the 2 things Gus did that Keith and Seabs can’t...mobility for Seabs and shots getting blocked for Keith