Tyler Cameron: Blackhawks Mailbag Edition
As the All-Star Game approaches, we have some time to breathe and reflect a little on where the Blackhawks are at this season.

I thought it'd be a perfect time for a mailbag. I have your questions that I will answer below. Also, there were some great posts from the message board that I grabbed to build off of.

Here we go...

FIRST

Tyler,
Thanks for throwing out a mail bag, the questions hit on what I have been pondering as well. The only one missing, Is Toews back to eating meat? his jump seems to be back...

Longtime lurker here. During one of the between period breaks on the tv broadcast, the panel talked about their favorite playoff series during the decade of BlackHawks. I wonder what the members of this group thought. i think they mentioned the Detroit series in 2013, the 10 Nashville series and the 15 Anaheim series. I looked back and, man, there were some doozies. The one that i recall most is the 10 Nashville series.

You are probably right that the difference between Stan keeping his job or not is whether the hawks can manage to squeak into the playoffs. Unfortunately that could be a prelude to bad decisions at the TDL. Worst case is stan gives up our first and/or Mitchell for a rental and we fall short.

Longtime lurker here. During one of the between period breaks on the tv broadcast, the panel talked about their favorite playoff series during the decade of BlackHawks. I wonder what the members of this group thought. i think they mentioned the Detroit series in 2013, the 10 Nashville series and the 15 Anaheim series. I looked back and, man, there were some doozies. The one that i recall most is the 10 Nashville series.
- SaddleTramp

14 Kings. A nick leddy missed block away from a 3 peat

Next few weeks are going to be very interesting for this team in terms which lane decide they decide to go in.

Do they decide to sell and build for the long term?

Benefit's: Gain more prospects, draft picks, and can give young players a chance to play in the NHL (Lankinen, Delia, Carlsson, Hagel, Tuulola, etc. if Rockford isn't in a Playoff chase themselves)

Downfall: Shows you don't have confidence in your players, morale drops, and the team plays poorly. Kane, Toews, Keith all become disgruntled. This could lead to guys like Lehner not wanting to resign. Fans get upset missing the Playoffs yet again.

Do they buy at the deadline and make a push for the Playoffs?

Benefit's: Boosts morale for your team and shows you have confidence in them to make the Playoffs. Could add a talent or two that could be apart of the team long term. Could lead to a Playoff of boost that will make (some) fans happy.

Downfall: trades pieces and/or draft picks that could help the team long term which would be extremely unfortunately if they missed the Playoffs.

Also, I'm pretty mad I didn't think of this for the mailbag so if you see this TC please throw your two cents in, if Stan buys for the team at the Trade Deadline (and by buy I mean more than a depth forward or defensemen) is it because he truly believes in this team to make the Playoffs? OR, is it because he's trying to save his job to show that he's "willing to make the moves necessary" for the team to wina nd get in the Playoffs again?

Really good questions and answers everybody!
That being said, I need to stay on the keep Bowman and Colliton side of things. I base this opinion on the fact this year the boys are coming together and starting to play really well together and starting to get some consistent results in the win column.

To isolate one thing: Seabs began the season as a starter on D.
He then had a couple "healthy" scratches.
He then missed a couple more games with, to paraphrase, "some nagging things."
He then was placed on LTIR with the need for a shoulder surgery, to be followed by a hip surgery, to be followed by surgery on the other hip.
A reasonable conclusion would be that, while he was playing, he was nowhere near 100%.
Once he was LTIR'd, the defense combinations had to be reset and, IMHO, are playing some of the best D in the Colliton era, even going back to the last year or so of the Quenneville era.

I'm optimistic to very optimistic about the 'Hawks future and pray for a 100% recovery for Seabs and all the guys who are hurt.

I realize that the Hawks won't become sellers unless there's a big drop off in their play the next few weeks. With that being said it's always fun to spitball possible trades.

I read on a different site that Boston may trade their young RD McAvoy. Bruins looking for a scoring forward. How about McAvoy (2 more years at 4.9M) for Saad one year at 6M. Hawks may have to retain about 1M in salary since Boston up against the cap. Expand the trade by swapping Gus for someone like Par Lindholm to provide the Bruins with another D to replace McAvoy.

With McAvoy Murphy would be expendable down the road. McAvoy three years younger than Murphy and still a RFA at the end of his current contract. Having McAvoy would give time for Mitchell to season in the AHL for a year.

20-21 D
Keith-Boqvist
deHaan-McAvoy
Maata-4K

Seabrook, Gilbert

I realize that the Hawks won't become sellers unless there's a big drop off in their play the next few weeks. With that being said it's always fun to spitball possible trades.

I read on a different site that Boston may trade their young RD McAvoy. Bruins looking for a scoring forward. How about McAvoy (2 more years at 4.9M) for Saad one year at 6M. Hawks may have to retain about 1M in salary since Boston up against the cap. Expand the trade by swapping Gus for someone like Par Lindholm to provide the Bruins with another D to replace McAvoy.

With McAvoy Murphy would be expendable down the road. McAvoy three years younger than Murphy and still a RFA at the end of his current contract. Having McAvoy would give time for Mitchell to season in the AHL for a year.

20-21 D
Keith-Boqvist
deHaan-McAvoy
Maata-4K

Seabrook, Gilbert
- boilermaker100

Where will Mitchell be?

I think Stan/Colliton is safer than

Nashville - Poile- Supposedly Stanley Cup contender - already changed coaches, odds are they are out of the playoffs at years end

Toronto-Dubas - See above.

Montreal Bergevin-Julien - Last time making the playoffs was 17, fading fast.

New Jersey - Fitzgerald is a Shero protege, think he is a caretaker until years end.

Jets - Cheveldayoff-Maurice, The natives are getting wrestles, same record as the Hawks.

I don't think Stan's job is in jeopardy. He won the power struggle with Q. The silent rebuild is in full force. You can be a critic of Stan's trades/draft picks over his tenure, but I look at his body of work more favorably than the above. Realistically, the team is where everyone thought they would be, and with the injuries, I think they have overperformed.

Would you take any of the above GM's if let go above Stan?

If Stan stays which obviously I think he does/Colliton stays. Only way that doesn't happen is if in the offseason the core 4 go above Bowman to Rocky/McDonough and say we are not waving our no-trades, but this guy should not be coaching this team.

Stan has a challenge on his hands this TDL as far as defense and goaltending this year and next.
1. What if DeHaan doesn’t come back healthy for 20/21?
2. Same for Seabrook
3. Should he trade Maatta given #1 and #2 above?
4. Mitchell will probably sign with BH, what if he doesn’t?
5. Koekkoek is playing well, how much will he cost?
6. Goalies, TC covered this one, we will find out soon enough
7. Has to take next year’s cap into consideration
8. Good luck! This list does not include the forward group.

Where will Mitchell be?
- riozzo

Next year at Rockford unless he has a great camp. Then find a spot for him the following year.

Where will Mitchell be?
- riozzo

His last actual sentence says the AHL. My problem with that is that Mitchell has said he plans to sign with Chicago, AND PLAY in the NHL right away. If we put another RD in front of him at the TDL, does he change his mind? If he sees that he's going to be in the AHL, does he go back for his senior year? If he goes back to Denver, should Stan trade his rights?

Longtime lurker here. During one of the between period breaks on the tv broadcast, the panel talked about their favorite playoff series during the decade of BlackHawks. I wonder what the members of this group thought. i think they mentioned the Detroit series in 2013, the 10 Nashville series and the 15 Anaheim series. I looked back and, man, there were some doozies. The one that i recall most is the 10 Nashville series.
- SaddleTramp

You know....there are two series we LOST that were fantastic series as well, and likely would have been the BEST series had Hawks won them

1. Hawks were down 0-3 against the Nucks, fought all the way back to game 7. 2011 I believe.

2. Hawks vs Kings (was it 2014???). Kings win in OT of Game 7. Super series....if we could have won that, Rangers in Cup final.....another Cup likely.

Two great series....if we COULD have won them, woulda been among the best!

My favorite series was the 13 Red Wings Hawks series, the 17 seconds was of course to me the most memorable game, but the series before against the Wings (down 3-1, the Seabrook penalty box talk with Toews, the winning goal by Hjammer tht wasn't, and then of course Seabs which to me would be the highlight of his tribute video when it is time for that).

You know....there are two series we LOST that were fantastic series as well, and likely would have been the BEST series had Hawks won them

1. Hawks were down 0-3 against the Nucks, fought all the way back to game 7. 2011 I believe.

2. Hawks vs Kings (was it 2014???). Kings win in OT of Game 7. Super series....if we could have won that, Rangers in Cup final.....another Cup likely.

Two great series....if we COULD have won them, woulda been among the best!
- hawk35

Vancouver up a goal in game 7 with a minute left - a “I won’t let them lose” goal by Toews to get it to OT.

Too bad they couldn’t capitalize on a PP situation in the extra time - lost on a dzone TO - by Campoli? - to Burroughs.

My thoughts on why our power play isn’t working. A little bored today......
1. Our sniper is not sniping
2. Too dependent on Kane, everybody else is just standing there
3. Kubalik on 2nd unit
4. Not enough talent on 2nd unit at this time. Move Dcat, Saad, and Strome to 2nd. unit.

If Stan stays which obviously I think he does/Colliton stays. Only way that doesn't happen is if in the offseason the core 4 go above Bowman to Rocky/McDonough and say we are not waving our no-trades, but this guy should not be coaching this team.
- LAHawk

I'm sure that conversation will go real well

His last actual sentence says the AHL. My problem with that is that Mitchell has said he plans to sign with Chicago, AND PLAY in the NHL right away. If we put another RD in front of him at the TDL, does he change his mind? If he sees that he's going to be in the AHL, does he go back for his senior year? If he goes back to Denver, should Stan trade his rights?
- tvetter

I suspect for Mitchell to sign Stan will have to promise him at least 10 games in the show to burn a year off his elc and give him a chance to show he belongs. Otherwise I’m sure he’d rather play in Denver then Rockford.

Hawks should try to move CC (if he would waive his NTC) to EDM for Puljujarvi. Big kid, good hands/speed and playmaking

He'd look nice on Dach's RW and be a good add to the top 9
Caggulia-Toews-Kubilak
Saad-Strome-Kane
ADB- Dach - Puljujarvi

I don't think the Hawks have let Boqvist show his full potential yet. He plays a very sheltered game for the most part.

I don't think the top end speed is there like some other elite skaters but the kid is so smooth and his hands/snapshot are so good. Has a really nice one timer too.

His skating is so effortless though. Maybe he has another gear and we just haven't seen it. He is still only 19.

LETS START BY TALKING TO BOTH GOALTENDERS SEE WHAT THEY WANT, IF LEHNER WANTS 5 YEARS AT 7-8 MILLION A YEAR TRADE HIM DONT LET HIM WALK FOR NOTHING , I FIGURE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SIGN CRAWFORD FOR 3 YEARS MAYBE 4 MILLION A YEAR. WE HAVE 2 YOUNG GOALTENDERS THAT ARE GOING TO NEED PLAYING TIME.
ALSO NEED TO TRADE GUSTAFSSON MAYBE GET A PICK OR PROSPECT,

I think Stan and Colliton are safe for the rest of this year and through the start of next year.

Stan probably will wait until very close to the deadline before making any major deals. The next 11 games will tell a lot.

I would like to see them in contention for a playoff spot at the TDL. But I would not want Stan to trade any of our future in to make the playoffs this year. By any of our future I mean a #1 or #2 draft pick or a player that is likely to play in the top 6 or top 4 pairings at the NHL level. Having said that I do not making any moves, major or minor that improve our team now. I am think along the lines of making a "Kubalik" or Caggiula trade.

I have the feeling that after the TDL Lehner, Crow, Gus, and Saad are still Blackhawks.

The one guy I would hate to see leave is Carp. He is a very good 3rd or 4th line C or wing, wins faceoffs, kills penalties, and has a very low cap hit for 2 more years. But if you can get a 2nd round pick or a high end prospect Stan needs to make the deal.

Solid mail bag Mr. Tyler.....well done.

I know athletic is a subscription only publication but LeBrun did a team by team plan for the deadline and for the hawks...

--He mentioned Bowman had reached out to Lehner's camp and plans to circle back. If they can't get anything done, he pointed to Carolina who tried to sign Lehner. he said the Hawks have NOT made 40 available as of now. What is fascinating here is that their is ZERO mention of Crawford. I dont' want to jump to conclusions but it looks like Bowman reaching out to Lehner is a sign he has put 40 ahead of 50 in the long term plans IF the money and term is where Bowman wants it. If not, Im sure Bowman will make 40 "available"......Somebody get Elbows a jar of tums.
--He also mentioned the Hawks taking back some money and picks with their LTIR cap space.

THESE are actual whispers/rumors to take note of. Not a E3, or some troll on twitter masking himself as an "insider"

outside of that, not much else to really debate. I get the Saad defense as to keeping him and he's valuable but my whole point yesterday is there is a cost and ROI that is needed there, and IMO I just think we know what Saad is and what he will bring and I personally wouldn't pay him over 6.5 AAV if it meant losing a legit #1 goalie, Debrincat, or Kubalik. You need consistent production out of your top 6 and Saad IMO is too inconsistent in the finishing department.

The risk/reward on Shaw is exploding in Bowman's face and I think we can all agree the premise of bringing back previous cup winning guys on round 2 rarely works out.....Oduya, Sharp, Campbell, Versteeg, Shaw.....not good. New decade, new approach. If Shaw is having concussion effects still, may be time for him, his agent, his family, and the hawks to figure out the long term goal here. I get the point that no player is going to walk away from millions....but losing valuable assets because of Shaw's deal is just stupid. This team has real cap issues facing them this summer.

4+ weeks until the deadline.....

1. Curious to hear/read if Lehner becomes available, because of his asking price vs what hawks are wiling to pay. Where it gets tricky is if Lehner wants say 8 AAV a year, and Hawks ARE still within a wild car spot....what Bowman does. I don't see how you can justify keeping 40, knowing you are a fringe playoff team, not a cup favorite, and not selling on your most potential coveted asset.

2. I don't care if they go on a 10-0-0 heater before 2/24 there is no logical reason to keep Gus. None. The 1 guy who has to be traded regardless is Gus. He should have been gone by now, and if he's extended...….this board will burn to the ground.

Hawks fall off the map...…

Trade: Maata, Smith, Carpenter, Gus, 40 or 50 depending upon conversations with Lehner's agent

hawks still very much alive for wild card.....ie….in a wc spot Or within 4 points and no worse then 1 team ahead of them to jump to get WC2.....

Trade: Gus, 40 or 50

Should be a fun 4 weeks.....and tonight is what I enjoy most of the allstar festivities. Seeing the individual skill these guys have and how easy they make it look.