Justin Lowe: Response to Seabrook Trade Proposal Last Friday fellow Hockeybuzzer, Mark Paul continued his "Trade Partner" series for the Florida Panthers (a team he covers and follows closely). This specific article was examining the Chicago Blackhawks and the best trade options this offseason as it related to the Panthers.

Mark and I spoke at length and thought it would add great context to get my opinion from the Blackhawks perspective.

A good defenceman in the NHL is a very valuable commodity. Where you rank Seabrook when it comes to being "good", is subjective.

Personally, there is no doubting that Seabrook is on the downside of his career, but he still has a lot to offer. He is not a dud offensively, and has a big shot. Defensively, he is not fast, never really was, but he still is decent. If a team uses him as a top 2 defenceman, then they will be disappointed, but as a 3-4, he still has value. His leadership is where his true value lies nowadays. I truly think a team like the Oilers, Leafs, or Panthers, can really use what he still brings to the table.

The contract is not something we need to rehash, as we all know it is not the greatest. But, if the Hawks choose to eat even 2 million per year of the deal, I can see a team taking a chance on him. Obviously, the Hawks will not be looking at a top prospect from another team, but they still should be able to pry some value out of any potential deal, as once again, defenceman hold a lot of value in the NHL. If he is moved for a pick lower than a second, I feel the Hawks should not have to retain any salary. If they want to get back a serviceable prospect/player, or a higher pick, then yes, salary retention should be on the table.

In no way though, should they just give him away.

so following that logic, if we take a 7th round pick - no retained salary?

so following that logic, if we take a 7th round pick - no retained salary?
- riozzo

Jurco, Ejdsell, Seabrook and a 3rd for Bjugstad and Pysyk

Many on this board have suggested using latter 1st round pick to 'offload' Hossa's contract (pricey I know), but we want a return without holding significant salary on Seabrook? I don't understand that logic. While I recognize that Seabrook is actually playing instead or being thrown on IR like Hos, that 6 years term vs 3 is pretty significant, along with an extra ~$1.5 M

NO AND NO to both those ridicules trade offer . Better to move Keith for prospect 1st pick and tough guy like Petrovic

here comes a long summer of speculating everything

>>>Seabrook was never to fleetest of foot, but it's been evident these last couple of years that opposing forwards have targeted him when entering the zone and have done so with high success rates.<<<

He was also mentally checked out for over half the season. Poor decisions all over the ice. Of course he was not alone in that department.

I got tired of the deja vu watching him looking in the net with the puck in it.

here comes a long summer of speculating everything
- PapaSquat

Could be worse, Justin has us on point, we could be stuck with Tanner reviewing music videos form the 80's

Seabs stays and will be a valuable 4 for a couple of years and then a 5-6 for the last couple of years on his contract. The young pups will still need someone to provide stability and teach them how to play in the NHL.

On another subject, what the hell is the NHL thinking by blowing off this weekend and not starting the SCF until Monday? People will be having parties, grilling, etc. all weekend. Why not have the NHL on the tube so people have something to watch if they get tired of talking with Aunt Edna.

G1 should be tonight, with G2 on Sunday. 2 great story lines, WASH and Ovie finally make the finals vs. the Vegas expansion rejects in their 1st season.

The NHL is the worst at marketing their sport.

I don’t think there is any reason for the Blackhawks to trade seabrook and retain a few million in salary, which is the equivalent of a decent lower line player, when everyone is speculating that the new CBA will contain at least one compliance buy out. I think that the Hawks May try to unload Seabs if the price is right, but the thought of paying 2-3 million for the next 6 years is too much for Stan to bear when they will likely be able to buy him out next year if need be.

What if they buy out seabrook if there is a compliance buy out and then resign him at league minimum immediately afterwords, is there any precedent for such a move or would it violate the rules of a buy out?

I am sure this will help Seabs trade value, he is Number 1 !!!

https://www.12up.com/post...in-the-nhl/partners/43677

Seabs stays and will be a valuable 4 for a couple of years and then a 5-6 for the last couple of years on his contract. The young pups will still need someone to provide stability and teach them how to play in the NHL.

On another subject, what the hell is the NHL thinking by blowing off this weekend and not starting the SCF until Monday? People will be having parties, grilling, etc. all weekend. Why not have the NHL on the tube so people have something to watch if they get tired of talking with Aunt Edna.

G1 should be tonight, with G2 on Sunday. 2 great story lines, WASH and Ovie finally make the finals vs. the Vegas expansion rejects in their 1st season.

The NHL is the worst at marketing their sport.
- scottak

I agree with you...maybe stadium availability in vegas...or other conflicts...

i don't remember a 5-6 day layoff for the start of the finals with both conference finals settled...

I am sure this will help Seabs trade value, he is Number 1 !!!

https://www.12up.com/post...in-the-nhl/partners/43677
- riozzo

can't argue with that conclusion....

aaahhh the wild stuck with parise and sutter and their albatross contracts...ya think they would like haula and alex tuch back

can't argue with that conclusion....

aaahhh the wild stuck with parise and sutter and their albatross contracts...ya think they would like haula and alex tuch back
- bogiedoc

It will be interesting to see how the NHL and the clubs deal with Seattle. I bet they are all planning ahead except The Son of Scott.

Vancouver has a ton of cap space opening, wouldn't that be a place for Seabs to land?

Seabs stays and will be a valuable 4 for a couple of years and then a 5-6 for the last couple of years on his contract. The young pups will still need someone to provide stability and teach them how to play in the NHL.

On another subject, what the hell is the NHL thinking by blowing off this weekend and not starting the SCF until Monday? People will be having parties, grilling, etc. all weekend. Why not have the NHL on the tube so people have something to watch if they get tired of talking with Aunt Edna.

G1 should be tonight, with G2 on Sunday. 2 great story lines, WASH and Ovie finally make the finals vs. the Vegas expansion rejects in their 1st season.

The NHL is the worst at marketing their sport.
- scottak

That is why McD needs to be promoted to NHL Marketing Director.

I don’t think there is any reason for the Blackhawks to trade seabrook and retain a few million in salary, which is the equivalent of a decent lower line player, when everyone is speculating that the new CBA will contain at least one compliance buy out. I think that the Hawks May try to unload Seabs if the price is right, but the thought of paying 2-3 million for the next 6 years is too much for Stan to bear when they will likely be able to buy him out next year if need be.

What if they buy out seabrook if there is a compliance buy out and then resign him at league minimum immediately afterwords, is there any precedent for such a move or would it violate the rules of a buy out?
- LaheysBRandy

Last time you couldn't buy a player out and resign them as it wasn't allowed. With the next CBA buyouts could (and should) look very different. It's been my opinion for some time that teams should get some form of a limited buyout option annually before free agency. Nothing crazy that can be abused, but why not let teams pay the player and move on. The player can get a new contract and the team can spend more money on new players. I get that the owners might push back because they want to limit the share of HRR the players are getting, but maybe they could just come up with a limit to the # of buyouts active at any one time or a total buyout allowance annually to give some flexibility.

here comes a long summer of speculating everything
- PapaSquat

Seabs stays and will be a valuable 4 for a couple of years and then a 5-6 for the last couple of years on his contract. The young pups will still need someone to provide stability and teach them how to play in the NHL.

On another subject, what the hell is the NHL thinking by blowing off this weekend and not starting the SCF until Monday? People will be having parties, grilling, etc. all weekend. Why not have the NHL on the tube so people have something to watch if they get tired of talking with Aunt Edna.

G1 should be tonight, with G2 on Sunday. 2 great story lines, WASH and Ovie finally make the finals vs. the Vegas expansion rejects in their 1st season.

The NHL is the worst at marketing their sport.
- scottak

What are NBC’s commitments for the weekend?

I don’t know - but that’s more important than any thought or preferences by the league.

It will be interesting to see how the NHL and the clubs deal with Seattle. I bet they are all planning ahead except The Son of Scott.
- riozzo

Wonder how they are going to deal with NMC, NTC this next expansion. I think its more likely Minny will be forced to buy out Parise. Not sure they will be able to pawn him off on Seattle.

and lots of fun crazy proposals!

What are NBC’s commitments for the weekend?

I don’t know - but that’s more important than any thought or preferences by the league.
- StLBravesFan

Royal Wedding replay? Best of "The Voice" ?

Royal Wedding replay? Best of "The Voice" ?
- powerenforcer

Both probably get better ratings and demographics than hockey, unfortunately.