4m per remaining for 4 more seasons
- mrpaulish

That trade had classic Reinsdorf (I know my pitcher's arm is going to blow...next season) all over it.

Hawks a most arrogant organization. Which is why they will go after/sign/trade for "names", as opposed to younger players with upside. "Names" gets people excited, talking, helps marketing....the more shrewd trades that may not be initially palatable or marketable are the ones the Hawks should look at. Alas, would not shock me to see the Hawks get older and slower this off-season...as GM and coach make one last push to save their jobs.
- kwolf68

This

If Jokiharju is in the Chicago line-up at 19 - with no pro experience - then they are doing a disservice to his hockey - and personal - development.

Has it been determined whether or not he can go to Rockford this coming season or must he go back to Finland?
- StLBravesFan

If he can play 15 minutes \ night and hit a stretch pass then why wouldn't he? I think he has to go overseas or back to junior if he doesn't stick with the hawks.

Little is going to happen until Tavares is settled.
- L_B_R

Don't get it, he's good, he not the next coming of anything.

Don't get it, he's good, he not the next coming of anything.
- vabeachbear

If McDavid gets $12.5MM, is $9-10MM not fair for Tavares in this market?? Says ANY NHL player agent.

Instant vomit.

But if the team moves AA and replaces him with Bozak, that’s a nice upgrade in itself.
- TommyHawk

Seems awful quiet. We'll see come Saturday

Just for fun:

Since it seems I'm the only pro-Ward guy (if the Hawks get him), I'd like to do a friendly bet with the board.

I bet Ward plays better than expected.
- Hank3Henshaw

I have no problem with Ward for one or two years because who knows.

Disagree. Usually with ya but not here.

If its a straight up Seabrook for Lucic swap the Hawks save $ and at least Lucic's useless money will stand in front of the net on the power play and he has finish ability that should help.

Anyway to get out of the Seabrook deal would be a godsend for Bowman. The Oilers are this dumb. We'll see.

Seabrook has a full NMC right ? So Its probably a moot point anyways.
- mrpaulish

What finish ability? Seabrook had 3 less goals than Lucic last season and he was a defenseman. Some people rag on Anisimov for being useless at his cap hit but that "stand in front of the net" thing actually works for him to a tune of 20 goals the last 3 seasons. They would only save $875k - not exactly breaking bank.

Considering there are far less good options at defense in UFA or via trade than there are at forward, I keep the defender - especially give Seabrook is a leader and Lucic is a loser.

If McDavid gets $12.5MM, is $9-10MM not fair for Tavares in this market?? Says ANY NHL player agent.
- Return of the Roar

I'd pay him 12 without thinking about it.

Disagree. Usually with ya but not here.

If its a straight up Seabrook for Lucic swap the Hawks save $ and at least Lucic's useless money will stand in front of the net on the power play and he has finish ability that should help.

Anyway to get out of the Seabrook deal would be a godsend for Bowman. The Oilers are this dumb. We'll see.

Seabrook has a full NMC right ? So Its probably a moot point anyways.
- mrpaulish

Both Seabrook and Lucic have NMCs.

What finish ability? Seabrook had 3 less goals than Lucic last season and he was a defenseman. Some people rag on Anisimov for being useless at his cap hit but that "stand in front of the net" thing actually works for him to a tune of 20 goals the last 3 seasons. They would only save $875k - not exactly breaking bank.

Considering there are far less good options at defense in UFA or via trade than there are at forward, I keep the defender - especially give Seabrook is a leader and Lucic is a loser.
- L_B_R

I'll say this, though...there has been a need for a long time for someone (anyone) on the Hawks to take up the position in the front of the net. I think Hayden can be that guy on the lower lines and he has skill.

Lucic could also be that net-front presence. Maybe he's not scoring, but shots could be going in from screens, redirects or other players picking up rebounds.

Just trying to be a glass-half-full guy with these trade thoughts. Haha.

Beagle would be one of my first gets if I'm a GM.

That guy is relentless.
- vabeachbear

Unless Aaron Asham is on the ice.

Unless Aaron Asham is on the ice.
- vandymeer23

Asham is playing beer leagues. No one cares about him.

Asham is playing beer leagues. No one cares about him.
- kwolf68

He's retired because he's 40 years old.

Unless Aaron Asham is on the ice.
- vandymeer23

Ha ha. Just for the fact that Beagle looked like he was about to cry after the linesmen scraped him off of the ice makes me not want him.

If he can play 15 minutes \ night and hit a stretch pass then why wouldn't he? I think he has to go overseas or back to junior if he doesn't stick with the hawks.
- fattybeef

Because at 19 years old - with no pro experience - his game is probably not as rounded as you'd ultimately like from a talented defenseman.

I question whether or not he - or any talented 19 year old, other than the McDavids or Matthews of the hockey world - can get that develop under the pressure of an NHL season.

Because at 19 years old - with no pro experience - his game is probably not as rounded as you'd ultimately like from a talented defenseman.

I question whether or not he - or any talented 19 year old, other than the McDavids or Matthews of the hockey world - can get that develop under the pressure of an NHL season.
- StLBravesFan

Hard to argue with this. Very few players, can make it that young.

My beating of my dead horse about the Danault trade has a lot to do with the fact that process was to draft these guys, let them play in Europe, Jrs, or College. Sign them, let them OVER develop in Rockford, and bring them up when they are over ready.

After two years minimum in Rockford, if they can't contribute, show case them, move them as part of a bigger trade.

When they step in, let them take the place of a higher paid non core contributor, who is moved for draft picks and start the whole circle of life thing over again.

Danault was the perfect example taking the place of an over paid Marcus Kruger, who if even would have been moved for a 4th round pick, would have been how it was supposed to work.

Because at 19 years old - with no pro experience - his game is probably not as rounded as you'd ultimately like from a talented defenseman.

I question whether or not he - or any talented 19 year old, other than the McDavids or Matthews of the hockey world - can get that develop under the pressure of an NHL season.
- StLBravesFan

Totally get what you're saying, but sometimes I think being that young works in these guys favor.

When you're that age, sometimes you don't think about the pressure. You're just taking it all in and rolling with it. I think sometimes it's tougher the older you are because you're thinking more into things and there's less margin for error.

I don't know...def interesting to think about.

Would have rather had Bernier or even Lehner. I know Lehner has been spotty, but at one time he was considered a top goalie prospect and the guy is STILL ONLY 26 years old. Maybe get Waite to coach him up and unleash his potential. Instead, Stan is going into the throwback file to pick up a guy who was last good in 2010.
- kwolf68

Agreed.....Signing Ward should just about do it.....for all of them imo.
And if Saad is dealt for Faulk.....it should happen IMMEDIATELY !!!

I'll say this, though...there has been a need for a long time for someone (anyone) on the Hawks to take up the position in the front of the net. I think Hayden can be that guy on the lower lines and he has skill.

Lucic could also be that net-front presence. Maybe he's not scoring, but shots could be going in from screens, redirects or other players picking up rebounds.

Just trying to be a glass-half-full guy with these trade thoughts. Haha.
- Hank3Henshaw

The shots weren't going in with Edmonton this last year with him on the ice - via him or his linemates, 5v5 or on the PP.

And again, people on here are super ready to move Anisimov when that description of net front presence / screen fits him to a tee. Those who clamor for Lucic should be happy with a cheaper version in Anisimov who has less term, should they not? Not as nasty but that's not a bad thing when you consider how many penalties Lucic takes - I don't think Lucic has had a positive penalty differential in his career, which is an issue for a team that is better 5v5 than on special teams like the Hawks.

Ha ha. Just for the fact that Beagle looked like he was about to cry after the linesmen scraped him off of the ice makes me not want him.
- Popsghostly

What a weird reason not to want a potentially useful player.

The shots weren't going in with Edmonton this last year with him on the ice - via him or his linemates, 5v5 or on the PP.

And again, people on here are super ready to move Anisimov when that description of net front presence / screen fits him to a tee. Those who clamor for Lucic should be happy with a cheaper version in Anisimov, should they not? Not as nasty but that's not a bad thing - I don't think Lucic has had a positive penalty differential in his career, which is an issue for a team that is better 5v5 than on special teams.
- L_B_R

I'm not ready to move AA, but I'd be down for the Lucic trade if that was it.

Basically...I'm not a doom-and-gloom guy. I don't think signing Ward is the end of the Hawks. I'm down to experiment and bring pieces in and see if they can get something working. That's all.

Why be mad and bummed about every move (or lack of move) the team makes, when you can just sit back and see what happens, you know?

I'm not ready to move AA, but I'd be down for the Lucic trade if that was it.

Basically...I'm not a doom-and-gloom guy. I don't think signing Ward is the end of the Hawks. I'm down to experiment and bring pieces in and see if they can get something working. That's all.

Why be mad and bummed about every move (or lack of move) the team makes, when you can just sit back and see what happens, you know?
- Hank3Henshaw

I'm not a doom-and-gloom gal, but I still don't like certain moves / rumors. I'm not a fan of Ward, would rather they go with the younger guys in the system if they can't get anyone of quality, but hopefully that's not that big an issue. I'm not opposed to experimenting, but not for bad players / contracts.

I'm actually quite optimistic that the Hawks will make moves to improve, the vets will mostly rebound, and the young players will impress - I just think these most recent trade proposals (that luckily aren't based on anything of merit) won't do that.

Agreed.....Signing Ward should just about do it.....for all of them imo.
And if Saad is dealt for Faulk.....it should happen IMMEDIATELY !!!
- Hawkytalk

Seems Ward is a done deal. I would agree with Wolf. I would like to have Lehner, but they might want a veteran playing tendy instead of a guy who hasn't lived up to their potential. Much like Forsberg.

It's really alarming how Bowman is back tracking from the moves he made last year. Demoting Forsberg, and possibly trading Saad and Murphy? In addition to that, DuClair. Traded Panik for a young guy with a high ceiling, now you don't want to sign the RFA? Bowman better have something big planned come Sunday, or the Hawks' entire season could look like it did last February.

What finish ability? Seabrook had 3 less goals than Lucic last season and he was a defenseman. Some people rag on Anisimov for being useless at his cap hit but that "stand in front of the net" thing actually works for him to a tune of 20 goals the last 3 seasons. They would only save $875k - not exactly breaking bank.

Considering there are far less good options at defense in UFA or via trade than there are at forward, I keep the defender - especially give Seabrook is a leader and Lucic is a loser.
- L_B_R

Completely agree with AA, yes his stats don't show it but it was extremely obvious to me the PP really suffered when he was injured for a stretch. Almost every game in the playoffs i saw a goalie sneak a peek and get burned because of net front presence