Good post, however, I'm going to respectfully disagree on your assessment of Duncan Keith. He had a horrific game last night and I think if you asked him he would agree. He was on the ice for most of the lengthy positional dominance in the Hawk's zone by Tampa repeatedly. Not totally his fault of course but if you watch the game closely you'll notice it. His penalty kill is severely lacking in front of the net and barely touches anybody ever to clear the crease. Maybe it was just a bad night but I would think that a game off every now and then might help him, especially if he wants to be part of this team next year in a lesser role. He is usually our best defenseman night in a night out but is showing some regression...which is expected. Colliton must continue to decrease his ice time to extend his shelf life because we'll need his leadership with the youth movement.
- Hawkytalk

I get this is 37 yo Keith and not 27 yo Duncs, but he’s for the most part playing like a top pairing guy every night and my “demise” comment was more about those first three games of the season.

He looked awful in those games along with the rest of the team, but even with his amazing attention to his own health, it’s not unfathomable that it takes a 37 yo body a few games to find its gear. Add in that and between at least 3-4 rookies, several new faces from FA acquisitions or trades, it took a little while for the whole team to find some rhythm.

Yeah, the question with the TDL approaching is whether Stan will be a buyer or seller. While this year to date has been way above expectations, I don’t think Stan will bite and and make any big trades.

If he does my hope is he takes someone else’s trash to relieve them of picks and prospects.

Not sure that’s possible with all the guys the Hawks will have to have on LTIR on day 1 next season but I think they can figure it out.
- HawkintheD

Recognizing this is a trade rumor board, I'm going to have to say "ride or die" with the group we currently have. They are winning against all odds and building quite the close knit group and positive culture in the room. Not sure I'd want to interrupt that progression, especially by bringing in a disgruntled superstar from another team - one with a big salary cap hit and questions about his character.

At most, maybe bring in a proven role player to backfill at C given the numerous injuries.

Recognizing this is a trade rumor board, I'm going to have to say "ride or die" with the group we currently have. They are winning against all odds and building quite the close knit group and positive culture in the room. Not sure I'd want to interrupt that progression, especially by bringing in a disgruntled superstar from another team - one with a big salary cap hit and questions about his character.

At most, maybe bring in a proven role player to backfill at C given the numerous injuries.
- pdx2ord

I think we may see a vet sale or two. But I'm hopeful we can take on a couple big contracts from contenders who need to clear space and get some sweeteners. Otherwise, putting the boys on LTIR doesn't mean much.

I think we may see a vet sale or two. But I'm hopeful we can take on a couple big contracts from contenders who need to clear space and get some sweeteners. Otherwise, putting the boys on LTIR doesn't mean much.
- mohel

That makes sense, too. I just don't want them to go all in on a high-priced superstar by offering up any of our promising prospects. It's not likely to get us to the finals, so what would be the return on investment?

Will be a big test for the defense on Sunday, who is going to take DaHaan’s minutes. What a gutsy performance by Murphy and Zadorov at the end of the game, especially that PK where they couldn’t get the puck out of the zone. Does Bowey slot in, or do they recall Carlsson?

Will be a big test for the defense on Sunday, who is going to take DaHaan’s minutes. What a gutsy performance by Murphy and Zadorov at the end of the game, especially that PK where they couldn’t get the puck out of the zone. Does Bowey slot in, or do they recall Carlsson?
- LAHawk

Oh no - there was confirmation that de Haan will be out? Ugh

Will be a big test for the defense on Sunday, who is going to take DaHaan’s minutes. What a gutsy performance by Murphy and Zadorov at the end of the game, especially that PK where they couldn’t get the puck out of the zone. Does Bowey slot in, or do they recall Carlsson?
- LAHawk

I wonder if they move Z with Boqvist and Lucas plays alongside Murphy?

He's a Sabers fan
- GPHawksfan

And yet he’s talking trash.

That makes sense, too. I just don't want them to go all in on a high-priced superstar by offering up any of our promising prospects. It's not likely to get us to the finals, so what would be the return on investment?
- pdx2ord

I completely agree. The view should be longer term.

Oh no - there was confirmation that de Haan will be out? Ugh
- pdx2ord

JC said didn’t believe it was serious, but made it sound like a game off is in order.

I completely agree. The view should be longer term.
- mohel

Exactly, no reason to trade for Eichel, it would be like the old Vikings trade for Hershel Walker for those old enough to remember. Like PDX said, ride the youth, and if we can make a hockey trade this off season by trading from strength for a young forward, then that’s okay, but we don’t need another $10M player.

And yet he’s talking trash.
- Angotti

True definition of a Troll

By the way, I was up on the ledge last night and it was kind of empty, only saw some guy up there with Avalanche and Hawks tattoos.

I don't know exactly how many times I have said this, but #2 is never, ever being traded by the Hawks while still under his current deal. He is a lifetime Blackhawk until he doesn't want to be or he hits the Seabrook wall.

Any rebuild in the NHL is a slow process, usually 5-7 years to sweep out the old and bring in the new. And most of the time it doesn't work all that well.

This season is just a small sample of reconstruction progress, there will be more bumps in the road. Does anybody really think the Hawks could win a game vs Tampa in a playoff series? But as a fan I like what I'm seeing so far. Going forward, there are other kids in the system who will be given a chance to contribute. Retain the draft picks and keep adding layers of young talent.
- RickJ

Yes, you are correct liking what you see so far and hopeful about draft picks.....draft picks resulting in adding layers of young talent as you put it

I would like to expand just a tad more on what you said

Encouraging seeing now Boqvist taking steps in development. I can picture Mitchell with Keith as a too pair for a couple more seasons and Mitchell will get TOI more than he receives as a rookie.

Boqvist I hope will be a regular second pair guy. Unless traded Murphy and Zadorov should be somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd pairs

As early as some point next season, however, there might be renewed interest in employing seven dmen, or trading either Zadorov/Murphy. The reason would be to allow opportunities for any of the Carlsson, Beaudin, Kalynuk trio.

Eventually either Beaudin or Kalynuk could be traded as there is not a spot for both. Carlsson provides willingness to hit and has a solid enough all around game + perhaps he is better than any of the prospects at being capable playing either side.

Down the road the second pair high end ceiling for Kaiser and the all around game of big Vlasic is going to merit consideration

This is just an example of the dmen coming in waves. Rogula is an intriguing prospect. It remains to be seen whether Phillips/Moberg could progress enough to get a look. We can count on Theo's review of the ups and downs of the AHL prospects; how exciting to have many prospects now as compared to the past few decades when the prospect lineage was often dreadful

By the way, I was up on the ledge last night and it was kind of empty, only saw some guy up there with Avalanche and Hawks tattoos.
- Angotti

Was he screaming about how all this is pointless and the Hawks should be tanking for the best pick? Then when you politely disagreed, did he threaten to take his ball and go home?

This is Stan we’re taking about here, so Lucic or Skinner (maybe both) are more reasonable options.

I know many don't care for 3 on 3 hockey but i think it's a great learning experience for Boqvist facing 2 or 3 on 1's.
- BetweenTheDots

He did surprising well, each time I thought it was game over for the Hawks.

This is Stan we’re taking about here, so Lucic or Skinner (maybe both) are more reasonable options.
- DarthKane

For Dach, DeBrincat, Reichel, and Boqvist

With all of this cap space I'd like to see the Hawks offer something reasonable for Taylor Hall. Hall is on a one year deal, so there's not much risk there.

With all of this cap space I'd like to see the Hawks offer something reasonable for Taylor Hall. Hall is on a one year deal, so there's not much risk there.
- Dieselhead

Why? You lose assets to acquire him and then he walks in the summer to sign somewhere else?

Why? You lose assets to acquire him and then he walks in the summer to sign somewhere else?
- GPHawksfan

A sign then trade deal. If you can find a partner to make a trade.

A sign then trade deal. If you can find a partner to make a trade.
- jhawk59

He's a UFA after the season, underperforming in BUF and currently making $8M. Not sure which teams would be lining up to get him if any but I'd pass on acquiring him in the first place.

He's single-handedly gotten two coaches and one general manager fired doesn't perform when it matters and constantly complains about everything. That's a cancer in my book. His talent is undeniable but he's a wiener.
- GPHawksfan

Some team will overpay for eichel and deplete their prospect pool draft picks and have hugh cap hit on the books for next few years. Like eichel but hasn't proven to be a leader and game changer imo.

For those keeping score Jokiharju was scratched today, interesting.

I wonder if they move Z with Boqvist and Lucas plays alongside Murphy?
- BetweenTheDots

Like to see more of bowey and see if he is a keeper or not.