Anyone read the Lazerus fluff piece on deHaan in the Athletic today?

https://theathletic.com/3...wks-but-open-to-anything/

Look, I am clearly not a deHaan fan and maybe have blinders on when it comes to his play. It seems lately that the broadcasters and now Lazerus are really pumping the tires on how good he has been playing. I'm just not seeing it. Anyone else think the Hawks can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for deHaan? If they can, take it immediately and run like you stole it.
- TheTrob

He blocks a lot of shots and tries super hard. He's not a standout but he's not terrible. Pretty average stay at home guy who probably won't cost you a game.

2nd and a later round pick maybe. I think you have to take whatever is offered at this point.

Anyone read the Lazerus fluff piece on deHaan in the Athletic today?

https://theathletic.com/3...wks-but-open-to-anything/

Look, I am clearly not a deHaan fan and maybe have blinders on when it comes to his play. It seems lately that the broadcasters and now Lazerus are really pumping the tires on how good he has been playing. I'm just not seeing it. Anyone else think the Hawks can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for deHaan? If they can, take it immediately and run like you stole it.
- TheTrob

I didn't read the article but feel deHaan has played much better than his previous years, which wouldn't be too hard. He's able to carry the puck out of the zone on par with an sub-average defensemen which is better than most on the Hawks, is blocking shots, hasn't been caught out of position too often and in my opinion is playing better than McCabe, and at some times, better than Murphy.

There's definitely a campaign to sell his skills by the Chicago broadcasters though but on one of the away feeds I heard another team's broadcaster praise the steadiness of deHaan and found a list somewhere talking about top Dmen available at the TDL and deHaan's name was on the list.

I don't think a 2nd, but at tops a 3rd, most likely a 4th for him.

The Hawks are really 2-3 impact players away from competing. Another top 4 D and 2 Top 6 forwards. Team is really lacking high-end fire power.

Sell off assets that won't be here in a year or two and get as many lotto tickets as possible. Hawks need to find another Saad or Dcat in the later 1st or early 2nd.

Hawks could be in a position to compete in 2-3 years. They just need to make the right moves and get a bit lucky. The roster looks a lot better when you slot guys in their correct spots.

I didn't read the article but feel deHaan has played much better than his previous years, which wouldn't be too hard. He's able to carry the puck out of the zone on par with an sub-average defensemen which is better than most on the Hawks, is blocking shots, hasn't been caught out of position too often and in my opinion is playing better than McCabe, and at some times, better than Murphy.

There's definitely a campaign to sell his skills by the Chicago broadcasters though but on one of the away feeds I heard another team's broadcaster praise the steadiness of deHaan and found a list somewhere talking about top Dmen available at the TDL and deHaan's name was on the list.

I don't think a 2nd, but at tops a 3rd, most likely a 4th for him.
- Popsghostly

Agreed with most of what you say here. Your and Fatty's take above are not really ringing endorsements for a $4.5mil defenseman, also says something about the general state of D in the league. Get what you can for him, if you have to retain a little to get a higher pick, do so.

On the McCabe front......man has he been a huge disappointment.....just generally bad more than good.

If it is Washington, I hope they get Lapiere back as compensation, as he was who I hoped the Hawks drafted, but they took Reichel instead. Only problem with Laoiere is he seems to be injury prone. Whatever else has to happen to make the dollars work is okay by me.
- LAHawk

At 21 Connor McMichael is 2 yrs older than Lapiere but every time I tune into a Caps game McMichael jumps out. I do know McM is a centerman, not sure about Lapiere though. ..... https://www.eliteprospect...r/424496/connor-mcmichael

Regardless, these are the types that jump to the top 2-3 in the Hawk prospect pipeline. ..... I really love the fit with MAF and WSH. My Lord the Eastern Conference is absolutely brutal but if WSH landed Fluery without giving up anything of significance from the NHL roster they jump up to the 2nd tier behind the top 3ish squads.

This is a post from yesterday where Rick weighed in on options there are to develop Dach's game, get him going....... One helluva post, Rick. Its beauty is its simplicity and after reading I have a much better hockey mind.
- Mr Ricochet

Wonderful post by him. I was against moving Dach to wing but after reading his post it makes sense.

The kid does look overwhelmed at times. Simplify the expectations and simplify what they want him to do on the ice. Lack of confidence due to overthinking leads to more overthinking and even less confidence. Hard to get out of that loop once you are in it.

I think Dach could excel at retrieving pucks or barreling down the boards and cutting into center ice to get off a shot. Opens up passing lanes too when opposing D start closing out to take away your shot.

He is a 2020 #1 draft choice, same age that Reichel is. Washiogton traded up to #22 to grab him. Lapiere probably would of gone much higher if he wasn't injured his draft year. What # does Washington draft this year? Probably higher than 22nd. So instead of a #1 this year, it would be like we got 2 #1's in 2020. I would do it.
- LAHawk

I’d rather have the pick and have the new GM pick his guy.

Agreed with most of what you say here. Your and Fatty's take above are not really ringing endorsements for a $4.5mil defenseman, also says something about the general state of D in the league. Get what you can for him, if you have to retain a little to get a higher pick, do so.

On the McCabe front......man has he been a huge disappointment.....just generally bad more than good.
- TheTrob

Is it just me or does he actually look like a good mobile skater until he gets the puck on his stick and then it all goes to crap.

It's like he is trying to carry a 10lb puck. Coupled with bad decision making and the inability to read plays and react. Maybe the biggest disappointment outside of Kubalik's dumpster fire of a year.

He blocks a lot of shots and tries super hard. He's not a standout but he's not terrible. Pretty average stay at home guy who probably won't cost you a game.

2nd and a later round pick maybe. I think you have to take whatever is offered at this point.
- fattybeef

Before he gets hurt cuz you know it's coming. DeHaan can be a useful depth piece to a club with a legit shot to go deep in the playoffs. ....... I root for this guy as he's a bit old school and doesn't cut corners.

Agreed with most of what you say here. Your and Fatty's take above are not really ringing endorsements for a $4.5mil defenseman, also says something about the general state of D in the league. Get what you can for him, if you have to retain a little to get a higher pick, do so.

On the McCabe front......man has he been a huge disappointment.....just generally bad more than good.
- TheTrob

Totally agree here Trob. What a huge disappointment. I actually was just as excited getting McCabe as I was with the Jones trade. The Buffalo board made Mccabe seem like a reliable, hard-hitting D-Man who had the unluck of getting injured and missing half of last year. I believed our D would be immediately improved with obtaining 2 top 4 D-Men.

Instead, he regularly coughs up the puck, misses the net on shots, is caught pinching and out of position. Colorado's second goal occurred because Mccabe was out of position and let him have an easy alone shot. One of the Minnesota goals was because McCabe went to hold in the puck at the zone along the wall instead of going for the man. So many mistakes like this.

Wonderful post by him. I was against moving Dach to wing but after reading his post it makes sense.

The kid does look overwhelmed at times. Simplify the expectations and simplify what they want him to do on the ice. Lack of confidence due to overthinking leads to more overthinking and even less confidence. Hard to get out of that loop once you are in it.

I think Dach could excel at retrieving pucks or barreling down the boards and cutting into center ice to get off a shot. Opens up passing lanes too when opposing D start closing out to take away your shot.
- bhawks2241

Love to read how a Canadian sees the game and yea Rick's post was fantastic.

Agree with your thoughts here too. A kid gets caught in a bad cycle and he regresses, develops bad habits and now you've got a bunch of funk to unravel before you can build him back up.

But if the organIzation chose to move him to wing with a 2 way 3 zone vet centerman as Rick suggests you probably stop regression in its tracks and put the kid in position to succeed.

Cuz as Rick points out right now, "In Chicago he just floundering like a pro golfer who has lost his game, doesn't understand why and has nobody to help him out of it".

I didn't read the article but feel deHaan has played much better than his previous years, which wouldn't be too hard. He's able to carry the puck out of the zone on par with an sub-average defensemen which is better than most on the Hawks, is blocking shots, hasn't been caught out of position too often and in my opinion is playing better than McCabe, and at some times, better than Murphy.

There's definitely a campaign to sell his skills by the Chicago broadcasters though but on one of the away feeds I heard another team's broadcaster praise the steadiness of deHaan and found a list somewhere talking about top Dmen available at the TDL and deHaan's name was on the list.

I don't think a 2nd, but at tops a 3rd, most likely a 4th for him.
- Popsghostly

When paired with S. Jones, he makes Jones better, which not matter how many times they put McCabe and Jones together, it is like oil and water. Putting daHaan with someone like Carlson of Washington or someone similar is the best use of his talents.

I’d rather have the pick and have the new GM pick his guy.
- Ogilthorpe2

I feel the new GM will be the same as the current GM

Copy and paste from some of The Athletic's Trade Board.


Before we dive into our 2022 NHL Trade Deadline Big Board 1.0, here’s a view from an NHL executive about the current state of trade talks, which never seem to unfold as quickly as fans (or writers) want them to.

The problem, according to one team official, is ascertaining value in a shifting marketplace. There’s a flat salary cap, and COVID-19 has disrupted the schedule (and revenue flows) for the third year in a row.

“For years, you paid up for term when making a trade,” the executive said. “It meant, if you traded for someone, there was increased value for term because you’re getting the player, not just as a rental, but for a few years beyond this year, which made him worth more.

“In a flat cap era, it’s the opposite. Taking on term sometimes decreases a player’s value.”

As is almost always the case, the buyers would like to get the wheeling and dealing started right away in order to integrate any incoming faces into their lineups as soon as possible. The sellers tend to drag things out to see how the market develops — and in the case of some teams that are still within reach of a playoff spot, to see exactly which side of the buy or sell line they ultimately fall on.

8. Marc-Andre Fleury, Blackhawks

Position: Goaltender
Age: 37
Contract: $7 million, pending UFA

Likelihood of a trade: Medium.

Fleury is ranked here because it’s still January and chances are no decision will be made about his future until much closer to the actual trade deadline — and ultimately, it will all hinge on him and his wishes. Assuming the Blackhawks are completely out of the playoff race by March, there will be teams with goaltending issues inquiring about the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. It’ll be up to Fleury to decide if the teams making inquiries are actually legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, and if he decides yes, then also if it’s worth disrupting his life (and his family’s) in the search for a fourth championship. It won’t affect his legacy either way — he’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But if the hunger to win is still there, and an opportunity is presented to him, Fleury moving at the deadline could tip the Stanley Cup scales in one team’s direction maybe more significantly than any other player currently on the board. Is Edmonton legit? No one can really say for sure. So, maybe if Darcy Kuemper continues to have an up-and-down year, Colorado could make a push for Fleury. Fleury’s 10-team no-trade list that would need to be navigated.

9. Dominik Kubalik, Blackhawks

Position: Left wing
Age: 26
Contract: 3.7 million, pending RFA

Likelihood of a trade: Medium.

Hard to believe it was just the summer of 2020 when Kubalik was named as a finalist for the Calder Trophy, alongside Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. That season, Kubalik scored 30 goals in 68 games for the Blackhawks, 26 of them at even-strength. It’s been a rougher ride for Kubalik since then, but he’s still just 26, has a reasonable contract ($3.7 million), and is a restricted free agent following the season. In short, he’d be a perfect middle-of-the-lineup addition for any team needing a shot of goalscoring. He’s been linked in the Czech media to Edmonton, a team desperately in search of depth up front. The Blackhawks have also been trying to move Dylan Strome for a while now, and as the cap numbers dwindle — he’s on a $3 million deal that expires after this year — the odds of him moving increase exponentially. As with Kubalik, there is a temptation to link Strome to Edmonton because of his connection to Connor McDavid, dating back to their junior days in Erie.


18. Calvin de Haan, Blackhawks

Position: Defense
Age: 30
Contract: $4.55 million, pending UFA

Likelihood of a trade: High.

Another in a longish line of depth defensemen who could become available. He’s playing top-four minutes on the Blackhawks blue line this year, and in a career that’ll be approaching 500 NHL games played by the deadline, was a steady playoff contributor for Carolina in 2019 and Chicago in 2020.

I feel the new GM will be the same as the current GM
- LAHawk

Then I’d rather have the pick and the current GM picks HIS guy.

The ideal return for Fleury - one of the Caps two young goalies, preferably Samsonov. Although seeing a Samsonov Hawks jersey would bring back nightmares of Sergei Samsonov.

Realistic return - Kempny and a 4th.
- DarthKane

Well we aren't getting the under performing Caufield somehow even if the ghost of Beaudin to Habs is alive. Nor should LA Kings be interested just because Bergevin now resides in their management team

I suppose the closer to the deadline the price may increase. But I don't see this as a strong seller's market. AND honestly we do not know if Fluery decides to a trade......so the hyperbole is just...hyperbole....and not worth even spending one minute thinking about actually going down

I am kinda scratching my head about these lineup proposals that move Lafferty away from Toews. To my eye they have had some real chemistry from the first game together. Toews has to appreciate the battling, speed, and hockey IQ Lafferty brings. I see him as the best compliment to Toews in a long time. Imagine them in more of a 3rd line role than a 2nd.
I don't know their high danger chances together, but I would bet their pretty good.

Before he gets hurt cuz you know it's coming. DeHaan can be a useful depth piece to a club with a legit shot to go deep in the playoffs. ....... I root for this guy as he's a bit old school and doesn't cut corners.
- Mr Ricochet

For sure

He blocks a lot of shots and tries super hard. He's not a standout but he's not terrible. Pretty average stay at home guy who probably won't cost you a game.

2nd and a later round pick maybe. I think you have to take whatever is offered at this point.
- fattybeef

DeHaan should be be traded ASAP before he sustains his annual injury. Hawks would probably have to retain half and the acquiring team may have to find a middleman to retain additional salary. So retaining half the cap hit on DeHaan and Fleury trades will use up their two remaining salary retention slots. But after this season they'll have all 3 available down the road.

He blocks a lot of shots and tries super hard. He's not a standout but he's not terrible. Pretty average stay at home guy who probably won't cost you a game.

2nd and a later round pick maybe. I think you have to take whatever is offered at this point.
- fattybeef

Because deHaan ( like Seabrook at the end) is so slowed by age and injury that he simply can't get out of the way of shots.

I am kinda scratching my head about these lineup proposals that move Lafferty away from Toews. To my eye they have had some real chemistry from the first game together. Toews has to appreciate the battling, speed, and hockey IQ Lafferty brings. I see him as the best compliment to Toews in a long time. Imagine them in more of a 3rd line role than a 2nd.
I don't know their high danger chances together, but I would bet their pretty good.
- GreenJeans

With any luck Lafferty will be on another team next season, or at the very least relegated to 13th Forward status…so why bother?

Connolly placed on waivers according to CapFriendly.

Connolly placed on waivers according to CapFriendly.
- Theo Fox

Another move happening?

Connolly placed on waivers according to CapFriendly.
- Theo Fox

If Connelly were acquired off waivers, then Chicago has more cap space to cover Fluery"s contract should that be inclusive in the settlement of batering. I mean, some give and take in trade talks often occurs, so Connnely's departure could help in moving Fluery.

Of course this waivers move could also.be just to give e Connelly an opportunity to play NHL since he wasn't apparently more than merely deph for Chicago.

If Connelly were acquired off waivers, then Chicago has more cap space to cover Fluery"s contract should that be inclusive in the settlement of batering. I mean, some give and take in trade talks often occurs, so Connnely's departure could help in moving Fluery.

Of course this waivers move could also.be just to give e Connelly an opportunity to play NHL since he wasn't apparently more than merely deph for Chicago.
- jhawk59

Why would removing one half of Flower's cap hit require the Hawks to clear cap space?