There's a chance this team could be both a buyer and seller if they find a trade partner willing to give up a first round pick.

Would another team looking to make a run be willing trade a first round pick for Lehner + prospect?

If so, I think you take it. Then you can load up on rentals for this year to utilize that cap space.

Unless you finish bottom 3, the odds are not likely that you get a top 3 draft pick. Last year was a fluke, we got lucky. We finished bottom 13 and got the 3rd pick. This year it looks like the hawks will finish even higher than that, reducing their chances of getting a top 3 in the draft. Might as well make a run here.
- catrisc

I agree on Lehner. If you cannot sign him you move him at the TDL and ride Crow the rest of the year, with occasional games from Delia and/or Lankinen. Your chance of making the playoffs are less than 50/50 anyway. Your chance of winning a 1st round series is remote. If you move Lehner and Crow gets injured you improve your lottery position. Maybe you try to sign Lehner in the offseason. If you move Lehner and Crow is a workhorse and stud you sign him for another year.

It is fun to see games that matter. I hoped for a WC this season, hopefully they can get there.

I would still like to see Stan move Gustafsson out, for anything, and bring back a better defensive D-man in a separate transaction.
- scottak

Maybe Swap Gus and Kampf? Put Gus on the 4th line and move Kampf to the third pairing? In all seriousness, Kampf is an excellent skater and Gus has a great shot.

The Hawks MUST make a run for playoffs. You can load up on all the top picks you want ... and yes this year was a fluke .... but these meaningful games at this very moment, are what is helping to develope the younger players. If they were to tank, younger players grow bad habits, poor work ethic and focus when it counts. Not saying they will make playoffs, but they must continue to play like they have been.
Also, these games can only give the kids confidence for next year and the following years to come. Don't thnk the Hawks should go for any rentals, as they will have cap decisions next year, as it stands right now.

I agree on Lehner. If you cannot sign him you move him at the TDL and ride Crow the rest of the year, with occasional games from Delia and/or Lankinen. Your chance of making the playoffs are less than 50/50 anyway. Your chance of winning a 1st round series is remote. If you move Lehner and Crow gets injured you improve your lottery position. Maybe you try to sign Lehner in the offseason. If you move Lehner and Crow is a workhorse and stud you sign him for another year.
- -Doh-

Best thing for the Hawks would be if a playoff team or hopeful lost their starter to injury. If like it is now, maybe just 1 or 2 teams likely interested in either lehner or Craw. There wouldn't be many....and the need wouldn't be dire. I don't think either fetch us much in that scenario. BUT....if a team lost their starter, then we may get a decent haul for one of them.

The Hawks MUST make a run for playoffs. You can load up on all the top picks you want ... and yes this year was a fluke .... but these meaningful games at this very moment, are what is helping to develope the younger players. If they were to tank, younger players grow bad habits, poor work ethic and focus when it counts. Not saying they will make playoffs, but they must continue to play like they have been.
Also, these games can only give the kids confidence for next year and the following years to come. Don't thnk the Hawks should go for any rentals, as they will have cap decisions next year, as it stands right now.
- chuckdahammer

Debrincat, Strome, Dach, Kubalik, Boqvist...this is their young core. Meaningful games matter for these guys now and down the road. If the Hawks are in it by the end of the month, then do not move either goalie unless you can get a first round pick back from a team for one of them. IF the Hawks get into the playoffs, their goalie tandem is outstanding. If they get hot, who knows what could happen.

My question for the board is this...IF the Hawks could get a top 6 forward or a legit D-man (either situation with term left on their deal), would you move a first round pick to acquire one?

The Hawks MUST make a run for playoffs. You can load up on all the top picks you want ... and yes this year was a fluke .... but these meaningful games at this very moment, are what is helping to develope the younger players. If they were to tank, younger players grow bad habits, poor work ethic and focus when it counts. Not saying they will make playoffs, but they must continue to play like they have been.
Also, these games can only give the kids confidence for next year and the following years to come. Don't thnk the Hawks should go for any rentals, as they will have cap decisions next year, as it stands right now.
- chuckdahammer

Agree. You do not tank deliberately, but you don't make trades that help today and hurt your future either. Hopefully Stan can make a Kubalik or Caggiula trade. That would be awesome.

Tyler you could not have picked a more perfect title to this mornings blog. Exactly how I feel also, as a season ticket holder. I want to go to some playoff games and let the cards fall where they lie in the off-season. Right now this morning I am sure that Ryan Pace is the most hated general manager in Chicago sports taking the heat off Theo Epstein and maybe Stan bowman right now.

The Hawks MUST make a run for playoffs. You can load up on all the top picks you want ... and yes this year was a fluke .... but these meaningful games at this very moment, are what is helping to develope the younger players. If they were to tank, younger players grow bad habits, poor work ethic and focus when it counts. Not saying they will make playoffs, but they must continue to play like they have been.
Also, these games can only give the kids confidence for next year and the following years to come. Don't thnk the Hawks should go for any rentals, as they will have cap decisions next year, as it stands right now.
- chuckdahammer

I said well more than a month ago. For the strength of the organization they had to take THIS approach:
1. All players, coaches think and play to make the playoffs and win the Cup. No matter what goes on around them, injuries, trades, media...just "Play to Win" each and every game. THAT is the mentality they had to take. Not tanking. like you said, we are teaching young players to WIN. Can't develop bad habits.
2. The Management, they can acquire to win now...BUT...NOT at the expense of the future. No trading picks or youth for stop gap playoff run additions. Every trade has to be made with "Future First". If you can add and not part with good prospects or picks, go ahead. But, other than that. Let this group go as far (even if nowhere) as they can go.

Play for NOW....Manage for the future!

Debrincat, Strome, Dach, Kubalik, Boqvist...this is their young core. Meaningful games matter for these guys now and down the road. If the Hawks are in it by the end of the month, then do not move either goalie unless you can get a first round pick back from a team for one of them. IF the Hawks get into the playoffs, their goalie tandem is outstanding. If they get hot, who knows what could happen.

My question for the board is this...IF the Hawks could get a top 6 forward or a legit D-man (either situation with term left on their deal), would you move a first round pick to acquire one?
- frafra

Good question. I do not think you can get a legit top 6 forward for a #1 pick alone. You might be able to get a 2nd pairing dman for a #1 pick. But I think with the Hawks deep pool of defensive prospects I would try to make the playoffs with our current Dmen. I would probably save the draft picks and deepen the prospect pool, but for the right top 6 forward I could be swayed.

Tyler you could not have picked a more perfect title to this mornings blog. Exactly how I feel also, as a season ticket holder. I want to go to some playoff games and let the cards fall where they lie in the off-season. Right now this morning I am sure that Ryan Pace is the most hated general manager in Chicago sports taking the heat off Theo Epstein and maybe Stan bowman right now.
- wonthecup10

Do we know for sure that it was Pace on his own who decided that pick, or was he "pressured" to make the pick? Not trying to start something, but maybe Bettman had something to do with it.

You comment for teams being above 500 is incorrect. You have to count the overtime losses in the loss column.

Play for NOW....Manage for the future!
- hawk35

More often than not those principles are in direct conflict with one another. The short term desire for full stands and coffers has led to overselling the product and setting expectations too high. Even after their recent "run" they are still three points out of a playoff spot, tied for fifth worst team in the conference.

Every move should be about the future unless and until the team is truly in top tier Cup contention - then you can take a risk here and there.

Sure - develop the kids. But the undeniable fact is that there aren't enough grade A kids in the stable. The only way you get them is trades or the draft. A first round playoff exit simply returns the team to middling draft prospects.

Bright spots are that in time some players may be in the above average category - Barrett, Mitchell, Beaudin - in a few years. But to think a "developed" Matthew Highmore for example is anything more than a replacement for another 4th line vet....

The team is at a crossroads with tradeable players to get value in return. I still think the FO should have taken the NYR approach and just ripped the band aid off, transparently disclosing that the team is in full rebuild. Credibility counts. If I want to watch AHL hockey I'll go to Rosemont. Closer, cheaper, and more value for the product on the ice.

Debrincat, Strome, Dach, Kubalik, Boqvist...this is their young core. Meaningful games matter for these guys now and down the road. If the Hawks are in it by the end of the month, then do not move either goalie unless you can get a first round pick back from a team for one of them. IF the Hawks get into the playoffs, their goalie tandem is outstanding. If they get hot, who knows what could happen.

My question for the board is this...IF the Hawks could get a top 6 forward or a legit D-man (either situation with term left on their deal), would you move a first round pick to acquire one?
- frafra

DO NOT GIVE UP HIGH DRAFT CHOICES for players !! While the Hawks were winning three cups, they really did not have that much in their farm system. They are getting better, but need to give stocking the system with good solid players. Sure superstars are nice, but tough to acquire. Load system with as many good solid all around players as possible and the only way to do this is not give up future assets.

DO NOT GIVE UP HIGH DRAFT CHOICES for players !! While the Hawks were winning three cups, they really did not have that much in their farm system. They are getting better, but need to give stocking the system with good solid players. Sure superstars are nice, but tough to acquire. Load system with as many good solid all around players as possible and the only way to do this is not give up future assets.
- chuckdahammer

This 100%

I said well more than a month ago. For the strength of the organization they had to take THIS approach:
1. All players, coaches think and play to make the playoffs and win the Cup. No matter what goes on around them, injuries, trades, media...just "Play to Win" each and every game. THAT is the mentality they had to take. Not tanking. like you said, we are teaching young players to WIN. Can't develop bad habits.
2. The Management, they can acquire to win now...BUT...NOT at the expense of the future. No trading picks or youth for stop gap playoff run additions. Every trade has to be made with "Future First". If you can add and not part with good prospects or picks, go ahead. But, other than that. Let this group go as far (even if nowhere) as they can go.

Play for NOW....Manage for the future!
- hawk35

Great post, 35.

The Hawks have tradeable assets - both goalies, Gus, Maata, Saad, etc. Would the team be better in two years if they trade them all for picks and prospects at the TDL; or if they make no trades?

Imo, they're not going to be Cup contenders this year or next; and as fun as it is to watch them play better, they need to maximize assets. Management plays the long game; players and coaches play today.

I suspect reality will be in between, with Rocky and McD telling Stan he's gotta look like he's going to win now.

I agree on Lehner. If you cannot sign him you move him at the TDL and ride Crow the rest of the year, with occasional games from Delia and/or Lankinen. Your chance of making the playoffs are less than 50/50 anyway. Your chance of winning a 1st round series is remote. If you move Lehner and Crow gets injured you improve your lottery position. Maybe you try to sign Lehner in the offseason. If you move Lehner and Crow is a workhorse and stud you sign him for another year.
- -Doh-

If you move Lehner, I wonder what UFA Craig Anderson would cost at the TDL?

As far as keeping Lehner and risk losing him at year end? I have one word Columbus. Lehner sure has been responsible for a lot of the success this year, everyone thought Columbus would be a lottery team this year after losing Duchense, Dzingel, Bobrovsky, and Panarin for nothing, but they still had a good young core, not like the cupboard is bare.

Hawks have good players too. Hpoefully next yea with Mitchell, Da Haan not being injured and no Gus, the defense improves that wins are not based on goalie performance alone (even though in the NHL you still need your goalie to come up with the big save when needed0.

guys please stop winning games and trade us Lehner, k?

I said well more than a month ago. For the strength of the organization they had to take THIS approach:
1. All players, coaches think and play to make the playoffs and win the Cup. No matter what goes on around them, injuries, trades, media...just "Play to Win" each and every game. THAT is the mentality they had to take. Not tanking. like you said, we are teaching young players to WIN. Can't develop bad habits.
2. The Management, they can acquire to win now...BUT...NOT at the expense of the future. No trading picks or youth for stop gap playoff run additions. Every trade has to be made with "Future First". If you can add and not part with good prospects or picks, go ahead. But, other than that. Let this group go as far (even if nowhere) as they can go.

Play for NOW....Manage for the future!
- hawk35

YES I AGREE TOTALLY !! great quote .... Play for now... manage for the future
You hit the nail on the head with: TEACH THEM HOW TO WIN !! sounds easy but its not. Lot of the "little things" have to be taught and become regular habits. Read on another blog that the Hawks have adopted an AC/DC song in their locker room after the Coyotes game ...... IT'S LONG WAY TO THE TOP .....

guys please stop winning games and trade us Lehner, k?
- BINGO!

You giving us Pesce?

guys please stop winning games and trade us Lehner, k?
- BINGO!

Maybe they can do both. Going to need Elbows to sign off on it though. He’s a big time Lehner guy.

guys please stop winning games and trade us Lehner, k?
- BINGO!

Can't we do both? Can't we trade you Lehner, lean on Crow and keep winning? He has looked pretty good lately.

What is Lehner as a rental worth to you? You have an extra 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in next years draft. Would you give up your first or Toronto's first (lottery protected)? If not a first would he be worth the 2nd and 3rd you got from the Rangers and Sabres respectively?

guys please stop winning games and trade us Lehner, k?
- BINGO!

Sure, but the price is gonna be exorbitant. That's what happens when you are a contender. You in?

Sure, but the price is gonna be exorbitant. That's what happens when you are a contender. You in?
- mohel

Teuvo, Pesce and a 1st for Lehner, Smith and Gus.

You giving us Pesce?
- LAHawk

.......no?

Why does everybody keep asking for Pesce?

Teuvo, Pesce and a 1st for Lehner, Smith and Gus.
- HawkintheD

.............ah.