I am not a huge Murphy fan but they cant trade him.

You have injury concerns with DeHaan and Seabrook.
You will/better lose Gus
keith isn't going to not age...at some point a decline is happening.

IMO the D picture is clearer then at F.

You dump Gus, you possibly dangle Maata and you sign Mitchell and move along.
- SteveRain

I do not really believe that Seabs gets traded but if he did, it might be that kind of scenario where it would take someone like Murphy to make it work. And I agree totally with your review of the dmen. We are fortunate if KK works out. One other point: Beaudin might stay for an entire second season AHL if Carlsson game is good. Carlsson has strong points in his game which makes him a potentially good bottom pair. You might see Gilbert not recalled for a while.

A lot of that had more to do with the Hawks getting Ladd I think than Weise and Fleischmann.

Kind of like the year before where Vermette was considered a great get at the TDL, Ladd was the player that was coveted in 2016.

The sad thing was at that time, was that Danault was a really solid part of a 3rd line. Idk if he would have made the difference in the playoffs but it wasn't an issue of Q not trusting a younger player. Not sure what Danault's minutes were but it seemed Q liked him.

People can use revisionist history to piss and moan about several Bowman trades (and do btw), but that is one that I didn't like at the time and has never really looked good.
- HawkintheD

I don't (ETA: know if) anyone would have said we won the TDL if all we added was Ladd. I liked Danault a lot, and I wanted them to get another top 4 Dman, but I wasn't initially disappointed in the trade with Montreal.

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?
- Savetheembers33

They should sell no matter what. Get something back for your pending ufa's. Sorry to say this not a playoff team they bubble team. One thing to not is they are trending in the right direction.

AEL, can Beaudin play in the NHL next year? Or does he need another year in the A?
- Angotti

IMO, it would be best for Beaudin to develop more fully in Rockford next year then compete for a spot in 2021-22.

I could see him getting a cup of coffee next season to get his feet wet so he can get a glimpse of NHL life then go back down to the farm with a clear sense of what he has left to close the gap in his growth curve.

Krys is on a similar timeline.

Murphy (when healthy) has been one of the Hawks most consistent d-men the past two seasons. Unless the offer is totally overwhelming he's going nowhere.
- DarthKane

At his very attractive salary and how well he has played this year so far, Stan will definitely be getting calls on Murphy over the next month. I don't think they should trade him but you never know what team could get real desperate with a knockout offer trying to add D for a playoff push. It could pay handsomely to listen and create an auction among multiple teams.

And if those teams don't want to ante up, let them settle for the likes of Codi Ceci, Erik Gudbranson or Mike Green.

IMO, it would be best for Beaudin to develop more fully in Rockford next year then compete for a spot in 2021-22. I could see him getting a cup of coffee next season to get his feet wet so he can get a glimpse of NHL life then go back down to the farm with a clear sense of what he has left to close the gap in his growth curve.

Krys is on a similar timeline.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks, I only hear good things about Beaudin’s game, seems to be dependable in defensive zone, not an elite Dman, but steady, and I’ll take a steady Dman all day long. At this time we have KK, Keith, and Maatta on the left side for next year, and DeHaan if healthy, of course this is all subject to change, so there’s no room for Gus. On the right side we have Boqvist, Murphy, and Seabrook/Mitchell. Not the best group of defensemen in the NHL, but far from the worst.

Crow will never see $5 from anyone.
- rpeters01

Yes he will, from Stan.

Other teams' fans really should learn that he uses those boos as his superpower. He seems to play his best when he's being disrespected or underestimated or in tight game situations.
- pdx2ord

I think it's a great and as a competitor it's the ultimate compliment.

As a public service and especially thinking of Darth Kane, please brace yourself and have a glass of water at you side:

NCAA scoring leaders
Astronomical scoring. Way down not even in the too ten two tied at 22 points in 22 gp

Ryan O"Shea, Northeastern, a Blackhawks dman 4th round 2015. 3, 19

The reportedly superlative all world C Caufield, U if Wisconsin, 2019 #1 round Montreal Canaduens. 19 goals, 3 assists

I can't believe how much Austin Matthews looks like a young Mike Keenan. He's got to lose that porn stache.

I can't believe how much Austin Matthews looks like a young Mike Keenan. He's got to lose that porn stache.
- 6628

Mathews a stash, eh. "Q" the stash. Or recall Rollie Fingers, baseball pitcher had some stash

Yes he will, from Stan.
- DarthKane

Hawks will get Caufield for Seebrook even up before that happens.

Thanks, I only hear good things about Beaudin’s game, seems to be dependable in defensive zone, not an elite Dman, but steady, and I’ll take a steady Dman all day long. At this time we have KK, Keith, and Maatta on the left side for next year, and DeHaan if healthy, of course this is all subject to change, so there’s no room for Gus. On the right side we have Boqvist, Murphy, and Seabrook/Mitchell. Not the best group of defensemen in the NHL, but far from the worst.
- Angotti

You described well what seems to be the development goal for at least Beaudin and Krys, i.e. being steady and reliable in their zone first then push the pace with their puck moving skills once the ice is flipped.

The reasons why I would be patient with Beaudin and Krys is because (A) they're on a slow and steady schedule, and (B) there's no room on the Hawks blueline. No need to rush either of them. Let them marinate more if not over marinate.

My preference would be to graduate no more than 2 D prospects to the NHL per season for full-time duty. One example:

Boqvist this year
Mitchell and Gilbert or Carlsson next year
Beaudin and Krys in 2021-22

If only he could have jumped out of the way sooner (his preference over actually blocking a shot). Instead he deflected the puck into the net. Leddy currently has the least blocked shots on the Islanders.
- -Doh-

He was too busy whining to the ref about a missed call to get out of the way.

As a public service and especially thinking of Darth Kane, please brace yourself and have a glass of water at you side:

NCAA scoring leaders
Astronomical scoring. Way down not even in the too ten two tied at 22 points in 22 gp

Ryan O"Shea, Northeastern, a Blackhawks dman 4th round 2015. 3, 19

The reportedly superlative all world C Caufield, U if Wisconsin, 2019 #1 round Montreal Canaduens. 19 goals, 3 assists
- jhawk59

Lol...3 assists. Come on. He should have more assists from rebounds alone if nothing else... 16 goals and 9 assists is good through 23 games. Maybe we could trade Debrincat for him

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 guess there is 8 open days so we are going to go down the Mitchell rabbit hole again.........

while I'm no way involved or know anything;

Mitchell will finish up in Denver this year, after his Jr. year, and sign with the Hawks. If it is before the season is over, he will play the rest of the year and if they make the playoffs, will be on the roster. It will burn a year of his ELC.

Next year, and beyond he will be a top 4 Dman for your Chicago Blackhawks.

This is the plan, has always been the plan, can't understand why everyone keeps talking about the plan being anything but this.

I cant justify giving CC any more then 1 year deal given his health history. He got his big deal, this current 1, and has had multiple concussions. They don't need more dead money then they already do now with Seabrook and Shaw.
- SteveRain

Agree completely, Learn from your past mistakes. Although I will say, I'm guessing when they gave Seabs that contract, both sides knew how it was going to end.

Thinking that's why the salary was an overpay.

McKenzie says Toronto is looking for a right handed defeseman with term. Murphy would fit in great, right handed, term, and a low cap hit of $3.85 mil. However I would not move him unless Toronto overpays, Say Kapanen, Bracco and their second?
Murphy IMO is a very valuable member of the team right now.
- LAHawk

They ain't trading Murphy, although if they Toronto wants him bad enough, (Nylander) they can consider it.

Murphy was a great trade for the Hawks, and if it wouldn't have been such a fan favorite he was traded for, people would be talking about what a genius Stan is.

I guess there is 8 open days so we are going to go down the Mitchell rabbit hole again.........

while I'm no way involved or know anything;

Mitchell will finish up in Denver this year, after his Jr. year, and sign with the Hawks. If it is before the season is over, he will play the rest of the year and if they make the playoffs, will be on the roster. It will burn a year of his ELC.

Next year, and beyond he will be a top 4 Dman for your Chicago Blackhawks.

This is the plan, has always been the plan, can't understand why everyone keeps talking about the plan being anything but this.
- vabeachbear

Like you, I know nothing.

But - if what you say happens, he gets to his next contract in the summer of 2021.

If he plays his senior year in Denver, then signs somewhere else in the summer of 2021, he doesn’t get his next contract until the summer of 2023.

That’s a two year difference. That’s a lot.

They ain't trading Murphy, although if they Toronto wants him bad enough, (Nylander) they can consider it.

Murphy was a great trade for the Hawks, and if it wouldn't have been such a fan favorite he was traded for, people would be talking about what a genius Stan is.
- vabeachbear

Finally the voice of reason, thank you!

They ain't trading Murphy, although if they Toronto wants him bad enough, (Nylander) they can consider it.

Murphy was a great trade for the Hawks, and if it wouldn't have been such a fan favorite he was traded for, people would be talking about what a genius Stan is.
- vabeachbear

If hawks are out of the playoff race in a month i would listen to offers on murphy matta and saad. If there is a trade proposal that makes sense and benefits the hawks now and going forward than yes make the trade or trades.

Congrats to Kane/Keith for 1st Team All Decade. Not sure how Karlsson got 2nd team. I’d take Weber or Suter in their prime over him any day.

Hasn’t everything that has happened since Q was fired proof that the biggest problem with the team at the time of the firing was the roster and not the coach?

Acquired since Q fired:
Da Haan
Maatta
Strome
Caggiula
Dach
Kubalik
Carpenter
Smith
Lehner
Nylander
Shaw
Koekkoek

Murphy was on IR that year until after Q was fired.
Plus some young guys have moved up and contributed like Boqvist and Highmore.

Two conclusions:
1) firing Q was a mistake. I’d love to see what he could do with the current roster.
2) Stan has done his best roster work since the last cup in the past year+

Also, Colliton was the wrong choice for this team; too young and inexperienced. But now he’s older and has more experience and it shows. I’m not sure he’s good enough To win a Cup yet and the clock is ticking. Do you really want him making his playoff debut next season? I predict he is here to start next season but if they start slow, he’ll be gone by New Year’s Day.

I guess there is 8 open days so we are going to go down the Mitchell rabbit hole again.........

while I'm no way involved or know anything;

Mitchell will finish up in Denver this year, after his Jr. year, and sign with the Hawks. If it is before the season is over, he will play the rest of the year and if they make the playoffs, will be on the roster. It will burn a year of his ELC.

Next year, and beyond he will be a top 4 Dman for your Chicago Blackhawks.

This is the plan, has always been the plan, can't understand why everyone keeps talking about the plan being anything but this.
- vabeachbear

Agreed and that said, two young Dmen in Mitchell and Boquist are enough. Let's stop the other rabbit hole trying to trade everyone and bring Rockford to the NHL. Boston beat that team about 100-negative 6 at the beginning of the season.

I keep coming back to this - what was the "big picture objective" for the 2019/20 season and what is the status of meeting that objective. The presumptions in defining the objective - the mission, if you will - were (1) winning the Cup is the primary objective, (2) the 2019/20 Hawks are not good enough to win the Cup, and (3) it may take longer than one season to get there. Therefore the mission of the 2019/20 season is to improve the team and build toward Cup contention.

From the perspective of 50 games into the season, I think the mission is on track. With the additions of Dach, Boqvist and Kubalik, the Hawks have infused 3 top players into the lineup and getting them invaluable experience to be part of a Cup contending team. A couple other players are showing signs they may be part of the future too. The focus on defensively responsible team cohesiveness is becoming more instinctive and showing positive results.

There are still more improvements needed before the Hawks are legitimate Cup contenders - but progress is being made.