Why not both?
- DarthKane

Hey Tyler.... I hear you, but I think the Hawks should consider trading any defenseman not named Duncan Keith if it makes sense for the long term. I wouldn't trade all of them, but some of Seabrook, de Haan, 4K, Maatta and Murphy could easily go.
- DarthKane

Oh I'm not disagreeing there. I was just speaking about de Haan. I think he's pretty untradable with his injury history.

I would keep Keith, Murphy and the youngnsters and explore moving the rest.

Oh I'm not disagreeing there. I was just speaking about de Haan. I think he's pretty untradable with his injury history.

I would keep Keith, Murphy and the youngnsters and explore moving the rest.
- Tyler Cameron

Your response should have been to laugh at the fact that DK said he wouldn't trade them all!

Oh I'm not disagreeing there. I was just speaking about de Haan. I think he's pretty untradable with his injury history.

I would keep Keith, Murphy and the youngsters and explore moving the rest.
- Tyler Cameron

I was watching the islanders play yesterday, since they supposedly use a similar man-to-man system the Hawks now employ, just to see what the differences were...

What I noticed was their transitions and breakouts...whenever they had control of the puck in their own end, they almost always were able to get the puck out and transition the other way. They didn't spend a whole bunch of time in their own end because they would win board battles, gain the puck and then transition without turning over the puck.

So I am thinking the hawks troubles are more with wining those board battles and then not turning the puck over. I remember a lot of times where they would turn the puck over in their own end, and then you would see those high-danger chances...

I think if the Hawks can get stronger and work on their transition and breakouts, they should be in a lot better shape, and probably won't be giving up so many high danger chances. I was looking over the hawks roster where they show the heights and weights, and I was surprised at how light these young guys with size were, like kubalik, nylander, etc. If we can get these guys to gain some strength and fill out their frames more, it will go a long way to being able to compete against a team like Vegas.

Anyway, just my 2 cents on what the hawks need to do to get back to contending. What is everyones thoughts on this?

Oh I'm not disagreeing there. I was just speaking about de Haan. I think he's pretty untradable with his injury history.

I would keep Keith, Murphy and the youngnsters and explore moving the rest.
- Tyler Cameron

There's definitely a market for defensemen. Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg are a few teams that could use help on the blue line.

Keith could garner a decent return but I doubt he'll waive his NMC.

Seabs has four strikes against him, his NMC, age, salary and health, so to move him, even if he waives, would require the Hawks to throw in a sweetener which will be a step in wrong direction for the rebuild.

deHaan is also injury prone and a hit away from another stint on the LTIR.

Maatta and Murphy had decent playoff games and have the most trade value. Maybe one of them goes in return for some forward help.

Koekkoek may get you a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Moving 2 of these 6 means that unless another veteran is acquired, you'll have
3 kids playing, but they have to start the NHL learning curve sooner or later.

Keith-Mitchell, Carlsson-Murphy, Seabrook/deHaan-Boqvist?

Wiz’s bestie, Pronman just started doing his organizational rankings over on the Athletic.

Unless I misunderstood, the parameters have changed a bit this year so I believe the rankings will include Dach where they didn’t the last time he did them.

Will be interesting to see where the Hawks end up.

In another article it talked about how the sky is falling seemingly for some teams after that first round...WSH, StL, CGY to name a few. That’s not exactly the way they phrased it but to me it’s a comp like when the Blackhawks were rudely ushered out of the first round in ‘17.

Conversely, they talked about how play in wins and a fairly decent acquittal by the Hawks, Jackets and Habs had to have those organizations somewhat enthused about the future and some of its players...specifically 8 and 77 for the Hawks.

There's definitely a market for defensemen. Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg are a few teams that could use help on the blue line.

Keith could garner a decent return but I doubt he'll waive his NMC.

Seabs has four strikes against him, his NMC, age, salary and health, so to move him, even if he waives, would require the Hawks to throw in a sweetener which will be a step in wrong direction for the rebuild.

deHaan is also injury prone and a hit away from another stint on the LTIR.

Maatta and Murphy had decent playoff games and have the most trade value. Maybe one of them goes in return for some forward help.

Koekkoek may get you a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Moving 2 of these 6 means that unless another veteran is acquired, you'll have
3 kids playing, but they have to start the NHL learning curve sooner or later.

Keith-Mitchell, Carllson-Murphy, Seabrook/deHaan-Boqvist?
- boilermaker100

I’m hoping they move Maata and hang on to Murph. With DeHaan likely having less value due to injury and Olli possibly upping his trade value, I could see the Hawks being able to trade him vs having to buy him out.

I agree with you that it’s pretty hard to fathom Seab’s being moved and I’m also not in favor of giving away prospects to move him. Would all spend but I don’t really lie that route as it more than likely take more than just a decent prospect to make that happen.

Hoping he can come back and play a role next year.

I’m hoping they move Maata and hang on to Murph. With DeHaan likely having less value due to injury and Olli possibly upping his trade value, I could see the Hawks being able to trade him vs having to buy him out.

I agree with you that it’s pretty hard to fathom Seab’s being moved and I’m also not in favor of giving away prospects to move him. Would all spend but I don’t really lie that route as it more than likely take more than just a decent prospect to make that happen.

Hoping he can come back and play a role next year.
- HawkintheD

I love Seabs too and also hope he can come back and be productive. I see him on the 3rd pairing with the occasional maintenance day off when back to back games occur. He's a proud guy and hope he accepts that role. He'll also be a great mentor for the kids.

It sounds like Stan realizes the Hawks need a defensively sound forward. Maybe like Michael Frolik, perhaps.
- DarthKane

This is why I like Sam Bennett, he would be a good addition to the Hawks. Good size, can skate, grit, and very sound defensively. Not a great offensive game at the NHL level so far, but in the right environment he could put up 15-18 goals. A guy like Bennett plus a top six forward would be good additions for next season. Dylan Strome is not the answer as a 3C, nice player with good offensive skills, however very slow and not defensively responsible.

I disagree that Crawford is married to Chicago. Wasn’t Joe Pavelski never going to leave San Jose, Calgary is desperate for goaltending. I bet they would overpay for 2 years of Crow. He isn’t going to win another cup with the Hawks, might as well go to a team with a chance and/or rake in the cash if he wants to play.
- LAHawk

Your spot on. Crawford will draw mixed reviews some argue he can still compete at a high enough level to win a team a cup or enough games during the regular season. Others like myself believe crawfords injury history and his struggles at many times during the playoffs at his age is to risky in a flat cap to throw 3 million plus at him with so many other needs to address. If Crawford wants to win he wont stay in Chicago I'm sure the market will offer him more money and a chance to prove his naysayers.

Your spot on. Crawford will draw mixed reviews some argue he can still compete at a high enough level to win a team a cup or enough games during the regular season. Others like myself believe crawfords injury history and his struggles at many times during the playoffs at his age is to risky in a flat cap to throw 3 million plus at him with so many other needs to address. If Crawford wants to win he wont stay in Chicago I'm sure the market will offer him more money and a chance to prove his naysayers.
- Taylorst1

I also think Craw signs for less then the #'s being thrown about. He has had concussion issues and has not made it thru a full season in how long? also with the EXP draft Im guessing he asks for NMC so he probably only gets 1 year if he does leave. IE he does not want to sign a 1 year deal and then get traded to a team with goalie injury's unless he agrees. of the RFA and UFA goalies out there he is probably somewhere between 5-10. if its me I take care of Smith (either trade and retain 50% or bury) Maata either trade or buyout or possibly trade Murph if you get a haul or Keith. get all your RFA under contract at a fair value. KK, CAG, STROME, KUBILAK. the only one I would look to trade would be strome. the reason I bring up Murph is he would return a lot and the reality is our D is just not good top to bottom. Keith I might consider because I think his value after a full season would be less. he also is super cheap from a cash stand point. Ir you are a team more concerned about $$ then AAV for the next 2 years he would be a great # 4 on a team that wants to win the cup.

Always amazes me how 1 injury can have such a major effect in the playoffs
- BetweenTheDots

I had posted earlier before the series started.

The Avs are 1 injury away from failure...

Once again, Vegas outsmarting the league and making the best offseason move by acquiring Lehner for nothing.

Teams like EDM and the Avs should be disappointed.

I was watching the islanders play yesterday, since they supposedly use a similar man-to-man system the Hawks now employ, just to see what the differences were...

What I noticed was their transitions and breakouts...whenever they had control of the puck in their own end, they almost always were able to get the puck out and transition the other way. They didn't spend a whole bunch of time in their own end because they would win board battles, gain the puck and then transition without turning over the puck.

So I am thinking the hawks troubles are more with wining those board battles and then not turning the puck over. I remember a lot of times where they would turn the puck over in their own end, and then you would see those high-danger chances...

I think if the Hawks can get stronger and work on their transition and breakouts, they should be in a lot better shape, and probably won't be giving up so many high danger chances. I was looking over the hawks roster where they show the heights and weights, and I was surprised at how light these young guys with size were, like kubalik, nylander, etc. If we can get these guys to gain some strength and fill out their frames more, it will go a long way to being able to compete against a team like Vegas.

Anyway, just my 2 cents on what the hawks need to do to get back to contending. What is everyones thoughts on this?
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I just think they are young right now especially the players who form much of lines 2 and 3. 4th line many times once they get possession do a great job of getting the puck up ice same with line 1 when Saad is on it. So there's work that needs to be done but the work is weight training, skating and practicing spacing and positioning.

The Islanders several times last night made no look passes out of the zone expecting their team mate to be in position and most times they were

Ek has added Malkin to his trade rumor chart. I'm not a subscriber so I don't know if he's headed to the Hawks.

Ek has added Malkin to his trade rumor chart. I'm not a subscriber so I don't know if he's headed to the Hawks.
- boilermaker100

I think Malkin to the Hawks is the default rumour.

It will be difficult, if not impossible, to move big contracts in the next 2 seasons without taking one back. It might be possible to move a $3-$4 million deal, but a $7-$8+ million deal won’t happen.

True, but in a flat cap world and Caggiula costing at least $1.5, I believe the cheaper options will win out. I think Caggiula is a good player that is worth the money. I just think the circumstances push him out.
- Chunk

If every team thinks like this, quite possible, then he won't be getting $1.5.

Ek has added Malkin to his trade rumor chart. I'm not a subscriber so I don't know if he's headed to the Hawks.
- boilermaker100

Of course he is. Though this time we don’t have Markus Kruger to swap for him. Maybe Kampf, Seabs and a 5th gets it done.

Not saying he is part of the problem, but whether he is part of the solution.
- boilermaker100

The argument you are making you could also make about Toews, Kane, Keith, Crawford and yes Seabrook. To some extent, most are not what they used to be except for Kane. I would say Saad has not digressed one bit to this point.

Maybe, just a hunch not making the playoffs has more to do with Sharp and Hossa and a lesser extent Hjarmalsson and Oduya in their prime just a hunch?

I think Malkin to the Hawks is the default rumour.

It will be difficult, if not impossible, to move big contracts in the next 2 seasons without taking one back. It might be possible to move a $3-$4 million deal, but a $7-$8+ million deal won’t happen.
- DarthKane

It's how we get rid of Seabs. We found our trade partner.

Why not both?
- DarthKane

Give me 2010 Bolland.

Kapanen traded from TOR back to PIT.

Nit sure on the return but looks like moves are starting.

I think Malkin to the Hawks is the default rumour.

It will be difficult, if not impossible, to move big contracts in the next 2 seasons without taking one back. It might be possible to move a $3-$4 million deal, but a $7-$8+ million deal won’t happen.
- DarthKane

Anything over a buck will be difficult without a buck coming back. That said, any team with any margin of cap space will be spending it wisely. Getting back to the current cap could take much longer than two years.

Kapanen traded from TOR back to PIT.

Nit sure on the return but looks like moves are starting.
- Tyler Cameron

Interesting. I'd like to find out the return. Wonder if Bowman joins early too.

There's definitely a market for defensemen. Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg are a few teams that could use help on the blue line.

Keith could garner a decent return but I doubt he'll waive his NMC.

Seabs has four strikes against him, his NMC, age, salary and health, so to move him, even if he waives, would require the Hawks to throw in a sweetener which will be a step in wrong direction for the rebuild.

deHaan is also injury prone and a hit away from another stint on the LTIR.

Maatta and Murphy had decent playoff games and have the most trade value. Maybe one of them goes in return for some forward help.

Koekkoek may get you a 3rd or 4th rounder.

Moving 2 of these 6 means that unless another veteran is acquired, you'll have
3 kids playing, but they have to start the NHL learning curve sooner or later.

Keith-Mitchell, Carlsson-Murphy, Seabrook/deHaan-Boqvist?
- boilermaker100

I see Boqvist, Mitchell, Carlsson, lesser extent Beaudien, Gilbert, Regula in some kind of rotation next year. If 4K resigns, it almost guarantees there will be some D-men traded.

The argument you are making you could also make about Toews, Kane, Keith, Crawford and yes Seabrook. To some extent, most are not what they used to be except for Kane. I would say Saad has not digressed one bit to this point.

Maybe, just a hunch not making the playoffs has more to do with Sharp and Hossa and a lesser extent Hjarmalsson and Oduya in their prime just a hunch?
- rpeters01

I understand your point, but my original point was if the Hawks were to do a serious rebuild this off season, which I doubt, Saad is a valuable trade chip. Toews, Kane Keith and Seabrook are highly unlikely to be moved because of their NMC's. Saad could return a couple of pieces that would help the Hawks not next year but in the future. Of course in the current cap situation, some dead salary would most likely have to come back with the assets that the Hawks acquire.