I'll just go through my thoughts on the most discussed players to be traded or not traded:

Kruger - Expiring contract. The hope is someone will want an experienced fourth liner for the playoff run. I think he is the most likely one to get traded.

Anisimov - We talk about him all the time as a must trade. Two years left after this one, at a $4.55 mill cap hit. They would either have to retain salary or take on someone else's problem if they want something beyond a 2nd.

Saad - Also has 2 years after this one. $6 mill cap hit. He will also be tough to move. Top 4 D in return? One can only hope, but I think that would have happened already if it was a real possibility.

Kunitz - Cheap expiring contract. He has control over where he ends up. I'm sure he gets played more often because they want to showcase him for a trade. One can only hope that they can find a home for him.

Ward - They need a trade partner, and it has to be one that is compatible for Ward's family's needs. As I said in the previous thread, if the Bruins signed Turco when their system was depleted by injury, anything is possible here. And I also remember that the Hawks got a 5th for John Scott at the deadline once. Everything's inflated at the deadline. Everything. He is a known commodity, as others have pointed out, but a game like last night says he can still have a decent outing from time to time.

Gus - We all love what he brings to the PP and hate what he brings to the other side of the puck. What's that worth at the deadline to a team desperate for help on the PP? I still think back to what Boston paid for Kaberle in 2011, but then that was Chiarelli. Besides, as said here, can Gus learn defense at all? If he was even an average defender, look out.

Keith - Only if the price is right, and only if he okays the trade. That will make it hard to trade him.

Seabrook - The pipe dream trade. Means picking up a bad contract like Lucic in return, retaining gobs of salary, and/or adding a sweetener to any deal. I think he's til retirement do us part, because the poison pill provisions of any trade proposal are even more costly.

Justin, my wish would be and I’ve been beating the drum on this for a bit since Bob Murray seems to Open for business.
I want a vdefensemen that can play in today’s game.......Josh Manson.??????for Saad?
Let’s hear your thoughts.
- wonthecup10

I'd love to get Manson too. Adds a dimension we sorely need to our D and our team overall.

Justin, my wish would be and I’ve been beating the drum on this for a bit since Bob Murray seems to Open for business.
I want a vdefensemen that can play in today’s game.......Josh Manson.??????for Saad?
Let’s hear your thoughts.
- wonthecup10

I think if we trade for a defenseman, the preference would be a left handed one. We have on the roster and in the pipeline righties

Seabrook
Joki
Bovquist
Mitchell
Murphy

And Gus, Dahlstrom and Carlson can all play the right side.

Interesting last night, that on the Islander goal where Murphy got his shot blocked, Ken Daneko on the NHL Network was adamant that Murphy made the right play in trying to get it to the net, but the fault was on the other defenseman (I could not tell who was on the ice on the replay), for not supporting and being behind Murphy and in the middle of the ice, especially since the block was made by the second layer of defense (Murphy actually got the puck through the first layer).

Sorry for the run on sentences. Anyone know who was the second defenseman on that play?
- LAHawk

Great question and good observation I wholeheartedly agree.

Whoever it was, Kampf beat him back in the D zone as he was the closest guy to checking Barzal when he scored.

I watched the whole game and now I can't recall who Murphy was paired with normally.....age setting in.

I would rather get Jacob Sifverberg from Anaheim than Manson, top 6 winger that is due for a raise that Anaheim cannot afford right now due to tagging.

Yes, but he also saved a goal by falling on a loose puck in the crease, and made one heck of a poke check in the 2nd period breaking up a possible breakaway. Glass half full? Glass half empty?
- hpk90

trending half empty. Gus has been making the same dumb clearing attempt/passes to the slot since Game 1 this season.

Mistake-free or sit in the press box. Sticking to that would mean 7 and 2 are don for the year.

Yes, but he also saved a goal by falling on a loose puck in the crease, and made one heck of a poke check in the 2nd period breaking up a possible breakaway. Glass half full? Glass half empty?
- hpk90

But the "falling on a loose puck" save was after a third (I think) bad TO in the period.

But the "falling on a loose puck" save was after a third (I think) bad TO in the period.
- StLBravesFan

If I remember correctly Brian Campbell was defensively very mistake prone too, difference was the team in its entirety was much stronger defensively, and there was angst about his defensive play before the 2010 playoffs.

Hawks are no longer in Cap Hell. They don't need to make trades to free up cap space in order to sign and/or retain players. Because of this, any trades they do make of players who still have term, and are still useful players (Saad, Anisimov, Keith) need to bring returns such that the Hawks "win the deal".

Kunitz, Kruger, Ward are all on expiring deals, if someone wants to give you a lower round draft pick or borderline prospect for them, go for it.

Saad, inconsistent or not, is still a top 6 forward in this league, playing a role in which the Hawks have no replacement for in the system. If you are going to deal him the return needs to be a top 4 D or high picks/prospects.

There is no reason to retain salary on Anisimov. He can play 3c or on a wing and still be an effective player. A higher round pick or solid prospect should be the return. If he is around next year and you roll into having to re-sign Strome and Debrincat, then you can move an Anisimov contract for lesser return to free some cap space. Until that point however, there is no need to "dump" him.

Gus is signed to a very low cap hit. If the belief is that he will never get better in his own end and his value is only as a PP QB and 3rd pairing D, then you try and find someone willing to overpay. You don't get rid of him for low picks or questionable talent, because his current value is above that.

Seabrook is probably untradeable

Keith is still a top pairing D-man. Return needs to be high. If he requests to go you accommodate him, but not at the detriment of the club.

If I remember correctly Brian Campbell was defensively very mistake prone too, difference was the team in its entirety was much stronger defensively.
- LAHawk

They broke up most of the play in the neutral zone and blocked a crap load of shots. They flipped the ice quickly and it was a lot of fun to watch.

Their SF/SA ratio was insane. Neimi saw something like 24-25 shots a game and had a rather pedestrian save percentage vs GAA.

Gus has become such a whipping boy. He makes mistakes, but he does make some positive plays. It does kind of balance out. He doesn't have a bad contract. His offensive numbers are comparable to Brian Campbell the year he came over on that monster contract. He has some chemistry with Kane with is benefiting both players offensively.

He needs to do better in the Dzone. Mostly needing to simply his game and try to do less individual play to move the puck. Let the coaching staff work with him and see what happens, unless you get a good offer for a trade. He will have trade value. There are plenty of offensive dman that are bad in their own end, but teams still want them and pay them. As Hawks fans, we've been spoiled in the past because we had some really high end 2 way players, but that type of blue line isn't easy to put together. Beggars can't be choosers and we don't have much real offensive push on the back end.

Gus needs to stay as the fixture on the PP, because he is the best option for it. Jokiharju is 19 year old and playing his first Pro season. He has had a great start to his career, but he is a rookie and there have been signs of him showing some of those rookie mistakes. The Hawks know they don't need to lump even more responsibility on his shoulders until he is ready. Let him get his feet wet this season. Confidence is important for young guys and they don't want to put him in over his head.

Realistically, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, etc.. aren't likely to step in and save the team next season. 1 or 2 of those guys might start playing NHL minutes, but it is going to take time (if they pan out).

Just getting back to it...Gus makes mistakes, but he also actually drives some offense. Some of our other guys make a lot of mistakes too but don't provide the offensive support and they are paid to be the top guys.

Hawks are no longer in Cap Hell. They don't need to make trades to free up cap space in order to sign and/or retain players. Because of this, any trades they do make of players who still have term, and are still useful players (Saad, Anisimov, Keith) need to bring returns such that the Hawks "win the deal".

Kunitz, Kruger, Ward are all on expiring deals, if someone wants to give you a lower round draft pick or borderline prospect for them, go for it.

Saad, inconsistent or not, is still a top 6 forward in this league, playing a role in which the Hawks have no replacement for in the system. If you are going to deal him the return needs to be a top 4 D or high picks/prospects.

There is no reason to retain salary on Anisimov. He can play 3c or on a wing and still be an effective player. A higher round pick or solid prospect should be the return. If he is around next year and you roll into having to re-sign Strome and Debrincat, then you can move an Anisimov contract for lesser return to free some cap space. Until that point however, there is no need to "dump" him.

Gus is signed to a very low cap hit. If the belief is that he will never get better in his own end and his value is only as a PP QB and 3rd pairing D, then you try and find someone willing to overpay. You don't get rid of him for low picks or questionable talent, because his current value is above that.

Seabrook is probably untradeable

Keith is still a top pairing D-man. Return needs to be high. If he requests to go you accommodate him, but not at the detriment of the club.
- TheTrob

O


I know we have had this debate before about the hawks not needing to make a trade and Keith etc. I respect your opinion. However this team has to use every available tool to turn this organization as a whole around.

I'm sorry to say this but Keith and Seabrook are no longer part of the long term solution , their age and salary along with their decline in play are indicators that it is time to move on .


The teams last playoff appearance they got rolled only to follow up with missing the playoffs and the trend has not stopped their again they will miss the playoffs and are currently in dead last place.


They need to move out , Saad , Keith, anisomov, Seabrook, and a few others to rebuild a lacking depth on this team and in Rockford.

They can not accomplish that while paying salaries to players who are not contributing to the value of their respective contracts.


Draft picks are great but no guarantee and the fact that Rockford is lacking serious depth and direction is a indicator of how deep the problems stem inside the organization.

Kunitz - Cheap expiring contract. He has control over where he ends up. I'm sure he gets played more often because they want to showcase him for a trade. One can only hope that they can find a home for him.

Ward - They need a trade partner, and it has to be one that is compatible for Ward's family's needs. As I said in the previous thread, if the Bruins signed Turco when their system was depleted by injury, anything is possible here. And I also remember that the Hawks got a 5th for John Scott at the deadline once. Everything's inflated at the deadline. Everything. He is a known commodity, as others have pointed out, but a game like last night says he can still have a decent outing from time to time.

- 333inthe3rd

I don't think anyone would even consider trading for Kunitz and Ward. They are pretty bad - and they both have 1 year contracts expiring in a couple months. They'll be off the hawks books before you know it.

Gus has become such a whipping boy. He makes mistakes, but he does make some positive plays. It does kind of balance out. He doesn't have a bad contract. His offensive numbers are comparable to Brian Campbell the year he came over on that monster contract. He has some chemistry with Kane with is benefiting both players offensively.

He needs to do better in the Dzone. Mostly needing to simply his game and try to do less individual play to move the puck. Let the coaching staff work with him and see what happens, unless you get a good offer for a trade. He will have trade value. There are plenty of offensive dman that are bad in their own end, but teams still want them and pay them. As Hawks fans, we've been spoiled in the past because we had some really high end 2 way players, but that type of blue line isn't easy to put together. Beggars can't be choosers and we don't have much real offensive push on the back end.

Gus needs to stay as the fixture on the PP, because he is the best option for it. Jokiharju is 19 year old and playing his first Pro season. He has had a great start to his career, but he is a rookie and there have been signs of him showing some of those rookie mistakes. The Hawks know they don't need to lump even more responsibility on his shoulders until he is ready. Let him get his feet wet this season. Confidence is important for young guys and they don't want to put him in over his head.

Realistically, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, etc.. aren't likely to step in and save the team next season. 1 or 2 of those guys might start playing NHL minutes, but it is going to take time (if they pan out).

Just getting back to it...Gus makes mistakes, but he also actually drives some offense. Some of our other guys make a lot of mistakes too but don't provide the offensive support and they are paid to be the top guys.
- breadbag

Agree with your perspective on Jokijarju. I'll admit, at first I was all about giving him top minutes and playing every game in all situations. While I don't want him sitting more than one game at a time and don't want him playing ten minutes or less when he does play (17-20 minutes sounds good), a gradual approach to his load of responsibilities is logical for the 19 year old to ensure he develops at an appropriate pace given he likely will never spend time in Rockford.

As for Gustafsson as well as Dahlstrom and Forsling, they should get playing time this year and next allowing the D prospects to develop at the right rate. Don't think any of the prospects will make the team next year anyway, or at least to start the season. Once they are ready, then it's time for management to trade (in a timely manner) 56, 63, and/or 42 if they are to be replaced by the younger blueliners.

Gustafsson replaced by Boqvist
Dahlstrom replaced by Carlsson
Forsling replaced by Beaudin or Mitchell

If anything, Forsling is traded sooner rather than later, i.e. this summer or even TDL.

One bad game and you'll hear it again I'm sure. It's what happens when people make assessments in real time instead of making them over a number of games.
- paulr

I don't think anyone said 3C but his play the prior 2 years looked like a solid 2C and not an elite 2 way top 10 C. Usually when a downward trend starts for a player it keeps going.

He looks to be skating better and learning how to play a more skilled game and less of the down low heavy cycle game.

The biggest thing to me is he looks better with Kane lately. He's playing hockey and has confidence. Remember when he was paired with Kane last year and looked god awful?

If this is the "new" Toews then this team is in a much better position.

I am actually optimistic about this team in 2-3 years. There is a lot of D-men coming up and I think its reasonable to believe 2 of them will be top 4 quality.

Strome looks like a huge steal. He can do some of Toews dirty work around the net. Some real solid pieces and D-men coming. The Hawks biggest need is physical top line scoring wing. Hopefully in this draft (if they don't get Hughes).

Get that 30g big top line winger and everyone else slots down a line. Suddenly the depth looks a lot better.

Caggiula is a great pick up too. He bring energy, speed, and an edge. He can slot up and down the line-up. Not exactly a Shaw clone but he is the kind of winger the Hawks desperately need more of in the line-up.

Not a big Bowman fan but he has made some really good moves lately and looks like his last few drafts will be a big success.

Joki might very well end up the leader on the back-end too. Kid is going to be a stud. Might be the best of the young D-men coming up. The underlying numbers show he is a keeper. I have no problem wiht the Hawks protecting him and not playing him every game IF he is wearing down a bit from world juniors and the fact he is only 19.

Holy turds....the Gus dog Whistle ground hog day is in full effect.

The obsession is confounding.

It would really be funny if everyone watched every other defender with the same scrutiny. Will never happen. Echoes of the 4 years of hand wringing over the fact that Q not having 15 olympic players on the team as some justification of the core being pouting babies.

We have waited 10 years for a PP, and now that we have one, after a month, many geniuses are anxious to experiment with other PP QB.

You know who is happy Gus plays....? Kane. And do not think he does not have some pull at this point in his career. For every bad looking d play Gus makes, he makes effective breakout passes that no other player can. Honestly watch the tape and resist the pavlov dog urge to blame the worlds ills on Gus.

I will be the first to say he struggles at times, but outside of the board pycologists who believe they can read what is in a players heart and mind, at this point, there is no doubt to me he is a net positive.

On the PP, Gus has had more entries and keep ins in 1 month then Keith had in 5 years.

They urgency which many fans are anxious and willing to part ways with players is really a head scratcher.

Anisimov playing 4th line minutes at $4.5mil is not good for him or the team. It’s clear that Kampf has passed Anisimov on Colliton’s center depth chart.

Also, it’s not good that Saad cannot lock down a top 6 forward spot on a last place team.

Hawks lose Kruger’s $3mil and if Anisimov is not at least the 3C on this team, he should be moved for whatever they can get. That’s another almost $8mil to play with next summer....

Anisimov playing 4th line minutes at $4.5mil is not good for him or the team. It’s clear that Kampf has passed Anisimov on Colliton’s center depth chart.

Also, it’s not good that Saad cannot lock down a top 6 forward spot on a last place team.

Hawks lose Kruger’s $3mil and if Anisimov is not at least the 3C on this team, he should be moved for whatever they can get. That’s another almost $8mil to play with next summer....
- EnzoD

Glorious Cap Space!!!!

Glorious Cap Space!!!!
- paulr

Haha, if it is allocated correctly all for it!

You do have to ear mark some for D-Cat and Strome (barring he doesn't regress) next offseason.

I still don't trust Bowman with properly allocating said cap space.

Glorious Cap Space!!!!
- paulr

Panarin, Stone, Dzingel, Nelson, Lee, Myers just to name a few UFAs in their prime. But you’re right guy, let’s have a $10 mil 4th line with a $7mil 6th Dman in Seabrook instead!

Anisimov playing 4th line minutes at $4.5mil is not good for him or the team. It’s clear that Kampf has passed Anisimov on Colliton’s center depth chart.

Also, it’s not good that Saad cannot lock down a top 6 forward spot on a last place team.

Hawks lose Kruger’s $3mil and if Anisimov is not at least the 3C on this team, he should be moved for whatever they can get. That’s another almost $8mil to play with next summer....
- EnzoD

AA is a skating ghost. He is not part of the future plan. That seems very obvious.

Respectfully, I believe the idea of talking top 6 to be an antiquated topic. Saad playing on third line, I do not see as punishment, but as a way to assemble 3 lines with the ability to skate, cycle and score. He is part of the long term plan. Has the requisite skills.

Kruger, God Bless his heart and soul, but had he come into the NHL in circumstances other than a Stanley cup team, he would be back in europe or working at IKEA. Great support and role player, but he, nor Keith, could break a pane of glass with their shots.

I want to emphasize something. What Las Vegas did last year has changed everything regarding timetables etc. Its not so much they made the cup final, but it was their style of play and make up of roster. If you want to compete in NHL, you have to have players that can skate. Yes the style of play may open up opponents chances, but by pressing, you put even more pressure on your opponent.

The Hawks will shed AA and likely Kunitz and a few others to that end.

This was said before and I'll reiterate as I fully agree. Hawks don't have to make trades. They are not hurting for cap space and have some expiring contracts coming off the books next year. Saad/AA can be useful players for a building team and with additions of Strome/Cagguila, you can start improving.

Players I look to trade:

Kruger - let him make a run with a contender, with his expiring contract, take what you can get for him

Kunitz - I think Kunitz can be a piece for a bigger trade. With his expiring contract, take back someone who has an inflated deal for another year or two, but bring back a higher draft pick or NHL ready prospect who can step into the bottom 9. No other real value for him, he's gone next year.

Koekkoek - For a pick, or AHL fodder. Don't care.

Perlini//Ejdsell/Martinsen - All expiring contracts that I don't think should be back next year. They've had NHL experience and can maybe step it up somewhere else. They shouldn't be resigned, so take what you can get.

Gustafsson- I think Gus could bring back the most out of the "available" defensemen. As mentioned, he can QB the PP and maybe a team like Ottawa can see him as a player used similarly to Karlsson. A team who has a solid defense already and wants to upgrade their PP can use him. Slot him in as the 5th defender and on the 2nd PP unit, its a price teams should be willing to pay if they need him.

Ward - Who cares if you do or not. If a contender wants a backup and he wants a chance at a cup, do it.

Player I consider trading:

Anisimov - Only if it is a clear overpay, otherwise I think we have 3 solid C's starting next year.

Kampf - I think he could be a solid bottom 6 player with potential, but I view him similarly to where we should view Kahun. I'm OK if we don't trade Kampf, but if it brings back a need, I am OK with it.

Hayden - Tough one here again. I think the right situation he can be an effective 4th liner. But maybe that situation is not here, unsure how I feel.

Dahlstrom/Forsling - If they choose to hold onto Gus, one of these are the next up to go. I think you need to keep one, if not both, for next year and give the next set of young D-men time, but if they want to bring in a few next year, get what you can for these guys.

Players I don't trade:

Kane, Toews, Saad, Caggiula, Strome, DeBrincat, Keith, Murphy, Jokiharju

Seabs purposefully left off because he can't be traded.

Panarin, Stone, Dzingel, Nelson, Lee, Myers just to name a few UFAs in their prime. But you’re right guy, let’s have a $10 mil 4th line with a $7mil 6th Dman in Seabrook instead!
- EnzoD

Don't look now but the 21 year old Strome is on pace for a 64 pt season since joining the Hawks. 21 pts in 27 games.

Thanks you AZ. Where are the posters that said this was a horrible trade? And that Bowman got fleeced? Strome can't play hockey and is a bust because he isn't a pretty figure skater!

Jay Zawaski saying that according to one of his best sources, the Hawks will trade a d-man when Forsling comes back after the all-star break (and he doesn’t think it’ll be Forsling).

With Seabrook and Joker not going anywhere, that leaves Keith, Murphy, and Gus as the candidates (not including Dahlstrom), and I’d hold on to Murphy as he’s finally growing into that top-4 d-man we hoped we’d be getting when trading Hammer, and is the best defensive d-man we have right now. We need more of those, not less.

I don’t think Gus would fetch much on the open market, and he’s more valuable to the team than in in a trade IMO. If it were up to me, I’d give Boqvist one more year to develop before transitioning to the NHL. In that case, we won’t need both Gus and Boq as they are both offense-first with big defensive deficiencies. Plus, Gus still has another year on a very team-friendly deal.

I really want to move Keith and hope that ultimately some team (Toronto) decides that he is the missing piece they need and give the Hawks a nice offer, but I have my reservations as to if this team is truly ready to move on from him.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out. If Keith is moved (unlikely), I’d like to see:

Gus - Joker
Dahlstrom - Murphy
Forsling/Koekkoek - Seabrook
- TommyHawk

If the trade doesntminvolve either Keith or Seabrook it is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Those 2 players hinder this team more than Gus, forsling etc.