Justin seeing we need center help what about Jordan Stall from carolina for AA 27th duclair and a 3rd he becomes your 2nd line center behind or in front of towes good on faceoffs then move smaltz to lw wing sign or trade for 3rd line center say riley nash just an idea as far as a bold move would solve a lot of problems I belive he signed at 6 million per year for another 4 or 5 more years same money hawks be giving jvr.
- Scott1977

You're kidding right? A 3rd line center making 6M? He's not even worth the 27th let alone the rest of your offer.

Babcock knows what he is doing. First off Polak wasn't even a regular on the Leafs blueline when they were healthy. Hainsey plays more than he should(if we had other D that could do that type of job). He played more PK time than any other player in the NHL and the Leafs PK was decent.(Around 10th I think).

Hyman is absolutely not a plug. He put up 40 points with ZERO PP time and his linemates both had great offensive seasons. Hyman also plays a ton of PK time as does Komarov

I do agree that I would prefer not to have Komarov on the Kadri, Marleau, Marner line....oh wait...Komarov was replaced with Marleau and never got his job back. Problem solved.

JVR's usage was perfect. He had a career year. Kadri has had two career years under babsocks.

***in reply to earlier posts***

If JVR could be signed for 5 years in the $6mil range he would absolutely be staying in Toronto.
- Njuice

Yep, this is his last deal. He's going for big money, long term and costly cap hit contract, which is precisely why he's not a great option for Chicago, unless of course they can dump some of their current dead weight. JVR plays a hard game, it's very possible, even likely, he will be HUGE diminishing returns for whoever gets him. I could see 1-2 good years, then a strong falloff. At that point the Hawks could add him to the rolodex of poopbag contracts they are on the hook for.

Don't forget, one player doesn't win all faceoffs. Get a bigger body in there to bang in the corner and dig the puck out and he wins a few more. Kane and the Cat are not the kind of players to dig for the puck on a tight faceoff.
- CanOCorn

Agree with you here. Surround Schmaltz with wingers who can help on the other parts of getting the puck back quickly after a lost draw and a 40% faceoff percentage isn't as bad as it looks on paper.

Look at it this way, even the best faceoff players in the league still lose 40% (give or take) of their draws. The goal after losing a faceoff is to work as a unit to force a turnover as efficiently and fast as possible to tilt the ice the other way with little to no damage on your own zone.

THANK YOU! Signing 29 yr old JVR is like putting a band-aid on a severed artery......
- EnzoD

Saving their jobs, fixing the pp. It will work at first, then off an on. Remember JVR has several lengthy stints injured throughout his career.

Please do not bring TVR back. Development needs to be in the bevy of kids you signed. Bringing a veteran TVR would be a desperation save my job move.

Pretty good chance he stays at C I think. He is getting better and stronger.
- breadbag

I think Schmaltz's future remains at center, too. It's somewhat throwing the baby out with the bathwater to not consider him an NHL center due to a sub-standard faceoff percentage. He does a lot of other things very well especially on offense and also on defense such as takeaways.

The other knock on Schmaltz is that he's too small and weak to take on the rough-n-tumble centers in the Western Conference who he may be matched up against a lot. He is getting stronger (as much as he can given his frame), but more importantly, it would be ideal to get him at least one power forward on his wing to make space for him and Kane and take on the physical challenges of the opposing line.

Hey Rainman...I don't see 91 here...but what about the Breadman...? Panarin is a UFA next season and has already stated he won't sign an extension. Yes Panarin's defense is a concern, but Kane has had his best seasons with him on his left side. We also saw a different kid in the playoffs this year as opposed to last season. I don't think Kane was terribly happy when they made the trade.

It'll be interesting to see if Stan can get him back or next offseason (that's if Stan is still running the show). Bowman's got to make several key moves and really hit it out of the park this offseason to get this thing back on track. Based on his track record I don't know if he can get it done. But I'm hopeful he does. Really interested to see how this thing plays out.

Moving Hossa's cap hit is a key and an even bigger one is Crawford...should be interesting.
- DK002

Tavares helps both Kane and Toews while Panarin only helps one or the other.

Tavares is about the same age as Panarin.

Spend the 10 million on Tavares and they only give up salary to sign him.

Tavares helps both Kane and Toews while Panarin only helps one or the other.

Tavares is about the same age as Panarin.

Spend the 10 million on Tavares and they only give up salary to sign him.
- fattybeef

If the Hawks somehow get Tavares....

Pretty good chance he stays at C I think. He is getting better and stronger.
- breadbag

But he's also really good at LW.

Schmaltz Toews Saad (all of the speed)
Dinglecat Tavares Kane (seriously, who do you even try to stop here)


Crap tonne of goals. Sign a depth center and flip some assets for a Q security blanket defender and they are in pretty good shape.

Should be able to salary dump AA if that bozo from Ottawa was movable. And the Hossa money is portable as well. Not a lot of excuses to mess this up.

They have the assets and the cap space to turn this team around very quickly and be back in the mix the next 3 years.

But he's also really good at LW.

Schmaltz Toews Saad (all of the speed)
Dinglecat Tavares Kane (seriously, who do you even try to stop here)


Crap tonne of goals. Sign a depth center and flip some assets for a Q security blanket defender and they are in pretty good shape.

Should be able to salary dump AA if that bozo from Ottawa was movable. And the Hossa money is portable as well. Not a lot of excuses to mess this up.

They have the assets and the cap space to turn this team around very quickly and be back in the mix the next 3 years.
- fattybeef

If the Hawks somehow acquired Tavares, I would be very open to the top 2 lines like you listed including moving Schmaltz to wing. Sign Riley Nash to be 4C at $1.0-1.2MM for 2-3 years, and try to acquire Pageau for 3C. Toews, Tavares, Pageau, and Nash would be a solid list of centers.

This of course assumes Anisimov is traded. Anisimov's salary + Hossa's contract + rise in salary cap to $79-80MM would help to free up money for Tavares, Pageau, and 1-2 new blueliners. Trading away Gustafsson and/or Rutta would help, too, assuming the new d-men come in to replace them.

Not a fan of trading #27, this is a good draft. Not a great draft, but a good one. The #27 pick has been pretty good recently: Morgan Frost, Brett Howden, Jacob Larsson, Nikolai Goldobin

We need to keep restocking the cupboard. I'm worried that Stan's survival mode will lead to bad decisions.

Tavares helps both Kane and Toews while Panarin only helps one or the other.

Tavares is about the same age as Panarin.

Spend the 10 million on Tavares and they only give up salary to sign him.
- fattybeef

That is "if" you can sign him for 10. There are some teams with some serious cap space to play with.

Tavares top 10 in scoring since he joined the league. If you ignore his rookie season when broken in 2009-2010, he is top 5 and only 25-30 points behind Ovie and Kane in point production. He did that without the depth many of the others of his caliber have had to play with.

If you at contracts of comparable offensive players, many of those were guys who were RFA or resigning with a team and were before the cap increased a few times. When the bidding war starts, some teams will find the extra million or two. I think if he signs for 10, it is because he left some money on the table to play where he wants to play.

You're kidding right? A 3rd line center making 6M? He's not even worth the 27th let alone the rest of your offer.
- tyweb69

No I am not Stall had about 50 pts and playing with kane I would think those numbers would go up. In that trade AA offsets the money and maybe a pick or prospect also comes back. Hawks are desperate for help down the middle IMO smaltz and AA are not centers Stall would be upgrade at that position.

Vegas just wasted their first NHL draft (after a full season that is) on Tatar. While I'm sure they'd love to get their hands on a franchise dman, I can't imagine they're gong to sacrifice two years in a row of not drafting in the top two rounds.

They're a brand new team and need to stock the cupboard with top talent. Waiting until their third year in the league to start doing that is going to do them in further down the line.
- Rinosaur

Seems this was their only misstep last yr. In the end it was proven they needed some more scoring to win the cup and they thought Tatar was that guy but missed on that.

No doubt, in this fantastic draft not having a 1st and 3rd hurts. ....... Think it was Rick who pointed rightly out the price for Karlsson has gone down now cuz if he was moved at the TDL last yr a club would have Karlsson for two playoff runs, now unless he's resigned you only have him for one.

2.I am not sure Karlsson to Vegas is bold.

3. The hawks sending Anisimov in a pick flip is reason if Brady was hawk target and Jesperi the Hats.

4. Getting in on some Ottawa by sending lots a Rockfords on bigger NHL contract in a pick switch seems do-able from the Ottawa rebuild perspective but very bold.

5. Carolina actually filling the RD need by accepting the #27 is maybe even bolder.

I will know by tomorrow if the hawks #8 is in play...
- wiz1901

Don't know Wiz. Anyone paying to add Karlsson IMO made a bold move for a top 2-3 Dman on earth.

They need one or two centers, one or two power forwards, two top four D, and a legit backup goalie.

Just not seeing Schmaltz as a 2C, AA....3C, maybe, and Kampf as a 4C is still very much an unknown.

JVR at $6.25MM is too much for not enough, and he will become yet another cap anchor if his term is much past three years.

None of these moves speak toughness either, and they only check one half of two boxes.

One thing is for sure though, the moves that do get made will give us insight into what kind of team identity the Hawks will have going forward.
- Return of the Roar

Will we? They went into 2017 being bigger, younger and tougher to play against. That lasted with Q for a couple months then it was back to possession/speed/skill.

IMO until Q is gone that is the identity, speed/skill/possession. He won't change.

Agree, don't see Schmaltz as a legit 2C but an excellent top 6 wing, and that JVR contract will bog down the next regime in the publicly stated rebuild. ..... But with StanBow in save his job mode JVR seems like a logical target in a weak FA class (meaning you will overpay more than usual for top free agents).

No I am not Stall had about 50 pts and playing with kane I would think those numbers would go up. In that trade AA offsets the money and maybe a pick or prospect also comes back. Hawks are desperate for help down the middle IMO smaltz and AA are not centers Stall would be upgrade at that position.
- Scott1977

Turning 30 in Sept, 6M cap hit for 5 more seasons and has only topped 50 points once in his career. Even playing with Kane I don't see him improving all that much. A good center and not saying I wouldn't like him on the hawks but not at his age, cap hit adn term. But more importantly, to my point, WAY overpay for him as well.

But he's also really good at LW.

Schmaltz Toews Saad (all of the speed)
Dinglecat Tavares Kane (seriously, who do you even try to stop here)


Crap tonne of goals. Sign a depth center and flip some assets for a Q security blanket defender and they are in pretty good shape.

Should be able to salary dump AA if that bozo from Ottawa was movable. And the Hossa money is portable as well. Not a lot of excuses to mess this up.

They have the assets and the cap space to turn this team around very quickly and be back in the mix the next 3 years.
- fattybeef

An possible alternative (Assuming they can't land Tavares) could be if they keep AA.

Saad- Toews - Schmaltz
Debrincat - AA - Kane

Spend the cash they have getting more quality depth on the bottom 6 and the D. I think they just need to keep AA out of a checking role if they don't move him.

Dealing Hossa's contract...signing JVR....drafting Wahlstrom...trading for Severson...


- DarthKane

They'd still have room to add a De Hann/Pateryn type and a Roussell type. How bout overpaying center Stastny for 2 yrs? Rather overpay Stastny for 2 yrs than JVR for 5ish yrs. He plays center, moves AA to 3C, Schmaltz to 2LW. Solid at center 3 deep, people get slotted where they belong and gives you a top 6 of:

Saad-JT-?
Schmaltz-Stastny-Kane

And the top 4 D:

Keith-Seabs
De Haan-Murphy

Could do a helluva lot worse and you still have cap room. 2019 Wahlstrom is tour 1RW.

Justin, what I tell you while we are next to each other in adjoining urinals is supposed to be private
- Stan_Bowman

So the rumor that you sit down to pee is not true?

Agree, don't see Schmaltz as a legit 2C but an excellent top 6 wing, and that JVR contract will bog down the next regime in the publicly stated rebuild. ..... But with StanBow in save his job mode JVR seems like a logical target in a weak FA class (meaning you will overpay more than usual for top free agents).
- Mr Ricochet

This is why I still think we need to just go full re-build. Trade Kane to a team who believes he puts them over the top, Same with Keith for young prospects and picks. If we cannot unload Toews and Seabs because of their contracts, keep them to help mentor the younger players.

I previously mentioned Buffalo as a destination and realize they are not near and are mid-rebuild. Would San Jose be interested? Florida? Colorado? Where would Kane agree to go? For Keith, focus on the teams missing out on Karlsson.

I know this is not popular (and would be a PR nightmare), and once Kane or Keith is traded the value of any other assets drop significantly, but as many have pointed out we are not 1-2 players away from seriously contending, we are multiple players, and Kane and Keith are our best chips, and would result in a quick re-build with young players, but also picks to help build the system.

Sorry, but overpaying to JVR or trading away minors depth (which is not that deep to begin with) will get us to the Cup? We have not fallen short by a few feet, we are miles away.

Just read on mynhltraderumors that simmonds. Is on the trade market what it take to get him and I would rather have him over jvr.
- Scott1977

He has dropped off and IIRC he's a UFA after this season. He'd fit nicely as the 1RW for maybe the 27th? Again, another move that fits StanBow's survival mode. ........ I'd rather keep that 27th, think the Hawks can find their 10 yr 2C there or even a 2nd rotation Dman, maybe even hit a grand slam with Merkley.

This is why I still think we need to just go full re-build. Trade Kane to a team who believes he puts them over the top, Same with Keith for young prospects and picks. If we cannot unload Toews and Seabs because of their contracts, keep them to help mentor the younger players.

I previously mentioned Buffalo as a destination and realize they are not near and are mid-rebuild. Would San Jose be interested? Florida? Colorado? Where would Kane agree to go? For Keith, focus on the teams missing out on Karlsson.

I know this is not popular (and would be a PR nightmare), and once Kane or Keith is traded the value of any other assets drop significantly, but as many have pointed out we are not 1-2 players away from seriously contending, we are multiple players, and Kane and Keith are our best chips, and would result in a quick re-build with young players, but also picks to help build the system.

Sorry, but overpaying to JVR or trading away minors depth (which is not that deep to begin with) will get us to the Cup? We have not fallen short by a few feet, we are miles away.
- Revco38

Trade Kane and I won’t watch the Hawks anymore. I’d like a Darth “Trade Them All” image with an *Except Kane*....Patrick Kane is the Franchise, GOAT American player and he’s got 5+ years of all star hockey left in him. over/under odds on Toews being an All Star again?

Turning 30 in Sept, 6M cap hit for 5 more seasons and has only topped 50 points once in his career. Even playing with Kane I don't see him improving all that much. A good center and not saying I wouldn't like him on the hawks but not at his age, cap hit adn term. But more importantly, to my point, WAY overpay for him as well.
- tyweb69

I'll stop being redundant soon, but yea man I totally agree......... But think what that move would do for the base short term and StanBow's job security.

JVR is a solid player, real good player that checks a lot of boxes for most any team but especially so the Hawks but that contract will hurt in 2-3 yrs with a couple yrs left on it. He did score 36 last yr with 14:54 of TOI with only 2:28 on the PP. I'd add he was a full 3% over his lifetime shooting percentage though.

Turning 30 in Sept, 6M cap hit for 5 more seasons and has only topped 50 points once in his career. Even playing with Kane I don't see him improving all that much. A good center and not saying I wouldn't like him on the hawks but not at his age, cap hit adn term. But more importantly, to my point, WAY overpay for him as well.
- tyweb69

But signing jvr to similar contract 6 for 5 when hawks are so weak down the middle and on faceoffs.

This is why I still think we need to just go full re-build. Trade Kane to a team who believes he puts them over the top, Same with Keith for young prospects and picks. If we cannot unload Toews and Seabs because of their contracts, keep them to help mentor the younger players.

I previously mentioned Buffalo as a destination and realize they are not near and are mid-rebuild. Would San Jose be interested? Florida? Colorado? Where would Kane agree to go? For Keith, focus on the teams missing out on Karlsson.

I know this is not popular (and would be a PR nightmare), and once Kane or Keith is traded the value of any other assets drop significantly, but as many have pointed out we are not 1-2 players away from seriously contending, we are multiple players, and Kane and Keith are our best chips, and would result in a quick re-build with young players, but also picks to help build the system.

Sorry, but overpaying to JVR or trading away minors depth (which is not that deep to begin with) will get us to the Cup? We have not fallen short by a few feet, we are miles away.
- Revco38

Not sure I'm there yet, Rev. If I did I don't want StanBowPops&shovel-face in charge of it. Number 1 you hire a Davidson/Lamorillo type to oversee the thing and go from there.