So the Hawks trade BOTH Lenher and Crow?? so who's our starting goalie in October?

Lenher is only 28 so he could be our #1 for the next 5 years at least so he should be extended immediately.... IMO, if the Hawks are going to try and make a run they should keep both...... I mean what could the Hawks get for Crow anyway? assuming he waives his NMC??? a 3rd round pick? not worth it....
- Savard2Secord

Well they both are UFA's. So you could sign either or both back in the offseason. Or you entice a decent veteran UFA with reasonable salary/term expectations. Holtby, Khubodin, Kuemper, Markstrom, Halak, Talbot, Khubodin, Smith etc.. Then hope for the best with Delia, Lankinen as the backup. Nalimov is out there also.

Good to hear the surgeries are done. I wouldn't expect him to be ready for the beginning of the year though.

Blackhawks announce Brent Seabrook has finished undergoing all three of his surgeries - right shoulder, both hips -- and is expected to be ready in 5-6 months.

The Jets refused to pay for his surgery......

I would not be concerned at all if the Hawks signed Byfuglien to a pro-rated "show me" contract for the rest of the season and perhaps into the playoffs...

It wouldn't hurt the team at all..... Just like with Kovalchuk, if he doesn't perform then he sits in the press box....

There is no "down side" - he either works out or he doesn't... It's not like the Hawks would have to give up assets for him.... It's not like he would be promised playing time, lol.....

Look, the Hawks have 13 million in cap space for the rest of the season and if Bowman was smart he would use it considering the Hawks are only 2 points out of a playoff spot and bringing in Buff and Kovalchuk would only cost the Hawks 2.5 million in cap space tops? without having to give up any significant assets....

The Hawks could easily acquire any UFA/RFA they want.... How many borderline playoff teams - that have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs - have as much cap space to improve their team than the Hawks?? not many.... The Hawks could drastically improve this team and turn it into a contender with that cap space....

And before people laugh, remember St. Louis last season?
- Savard2Secord

If he's really injured under the CBA I doubt the team can do that?

The Jets refused to pay for his surgery......

I would not be concerned at all if the Hawks signed Byfuglien to a pro-rated "show me" contract for the rest of the season and perhaps into the playoffs...

It wouldn't hurt the team at all..... Just like with Kovalchuk, if he doesn't perform then he sits in the press box....

There is no "down side" - he either works out or he doesn't... It's not like the Hawks would have to give up assets for him.... It's not like he would be promised playing time, lol.....

Look, the Hawks have 13 million in cap space for the rest of the season and if Bowman was smart he would use it considering the Hawks are only 2 points out of a playoff spot and bringing in Buff and Kovalchuk would only cost the Hawks 2.5 million in cap space tops? without having to give up any significant assets....

The Hawks could easily acquire any UFA/RFA they want.... How many borderline playoff teams - that have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs - have as much cap space to improve their team than the Hawks?? not many.... The Hawks could drastically improve this team and turn it into a contender with that cap space....

And before people laugh, remember St. Louis last season?
- Savard2Secord

Yeah.... My guess is he does not sign a PTO or a Kovalchuk-like deal. He is going to want substantial guaranteed money and some term. If he is skating and in shape this summer, wants to play for the Hawks, and his price and term is correct you can definitely consider him. I just do not see the stars aligning.

I really like Nylander..... I think Buffalo really mishandled his development, but he's slowly improving in the Hawks system.... I think the kid will be a fine player in a couple of years but for now he just needs to be slowly adjusted to the NHL, but the skill is obviously there..... He's certainly salvageable, will he ever reach his true potential? probably not but that doesn't mean he will be a bust.
- Savard2Secord

Think he was a casualty of being rushed way too soon. Doubt he'll ever be a bust. Just would PREFER to see an experienced winger up here in this potential chase. Maybe I'm way off base, but right now, can't quite yet see him as a genuine asset. If they want to do right by the kid, let him marinate a bit.

Nylander.
- Rota's Rooter

Shouldn’t need to acquire anyone to justify replacing Nylander.

#worthless

:However, I do believe Bowman has a "tweak" up his sleeve this deadline. Let's just hope it's not another 1-for-1 like Jokiharju for Nylander. "

I don't know... I'd do Jokiharju for Nylander again, if they really want him back in Buff.

Buff hasn't even started skating yet. He is not playing this year. I can't even with Kovalchuk.

Kovalchuk makes 700k - and that would be pro-rated for the rest of the season. So why would you be opposed to that? it's zero risk...

And I know about the return GM's expect Montreal to expect because there is an article on TSN that goes into those details..... Many GM's expect Montreal to get a "mid round pick"....

https://www.tsn.ca/tradec...treal-canadiens-1.1438188
- Savard2Secord

The Hawks are in no position to give up picks. They should be in the acquiring pick phase.

Yeah.... My guess is he does not sign a PTO or a Kovalchuk-like deal. He is going to want substantial guaranteed money and some term. If he is skating and in shape this summer, wants to play for the Hawks, and his price and term is correct you can definitely consider him. I just do not see the stars aligning.
- -Doh-

Why exactly should the Hawks be signing a 35 year old player to multiple years coming off major ankle surgery. Not saying you are advocating this but the Hawks should be moving in a different direction.

Sell. Sell any player anyone wants. We all know which players have no chance of being moved but the rest? SELL

Why exactly should the Hawks be signing a 35 year old player to multiple years coming off major ankle surgery. Not saying you are advocating this but the Hawks should be moving in a different direction.

Sell. Sell any player anyone wants. We all know which players have no chance of being moved but the rest? SELL
- Elbows15

Also, it’s long past time to end the Blackhawk Glory Days retread carousel.

Also, it’s long past time to end the Blackhawk Glory Days retread carousel.
- Ogilthorpe2

Seriously. How many of those moves have turned out well?

Sharp
Oduya
Ladd
Shaw

I think the only one who sort of paid off was Versteeg.

Also, it’s long past time to end the Blackhawk Glory Days retread carousel.
- Ogilthorpe2

Brouwer was available for a week or so. Mean to tell me you weren't devastated?

Buff hasn't even started skating yet. He is not playing this year. I can't even with Kovalchuk.
- Elbows15

Never been a betting man. But, willing to bet that Buff is done.

If trading Lehner lands a legit top D prospect or top 4 D, do you make that trade and sign CC for one more year? Or a trade that brings back a top 6 forward prospect? CC seems to be finding his groove again and we need to get one of the Rockford guys up for some pro net time. Just wondering if we can afford to dump big money into Lehner with so many other holes to fill. Dunno.. spit ballin

I just don't see this team making the playoffs as constructed. I hope I am wrong.

(This trade is in the event the Hawks fall apart before the deadline and are out.)
- z1990z

It depends on the return, and age and term of the return will definitely come into play.

Never been a betting man. But, willing to bet that Buff is done.
- gabriel

Me either, but I would go halves with you, that ship has sailed.

Me either, but I would go halves with you, that ship has sailed.
- Angotti

Thanks for the reality check. Thought I'd 'lost it.' Again.

Seriously, you are really making this comparison?

Jack Campbell has played 58 NHL games total career, never ever in meaningful games. He is player who has never reached what supposedly was his 'potential', whatever that is or was.

Cro has about 750 regular season and playoff games. He isn't a 'rental' for any other reason than his contract expires at season end. He is still a #1 NHL goaltender by anybody's evaluation.


And one more thing, we"ll see just how good 'cap friendly' Jack Campbell is playing behind that godawful Maple Leaf defence. As much as Michael Hutchison is really an AHL goaltender, he has faced the 2nd most high danger chances of any NHL goalie this year.

You know what goalie has faced the most high danger chances this year? None other than Corey Crawford playing behind what is probably an even worse group of defenceman.
- RickJ

FWIW, ‘Charting Hockey has CC #2 in the NHL this season on shots saved above expectation. Lehner is above average as well, but CC has seen a bunch of hard chances.

If the refs acknowledged that they got the call wrong, why don't they have a mechanism in place to get the call right there? They huddled up, why not have a quick peek at the tablet.

We can review a skate blade 1/8th of an inch off the ice for offsides, but we can't review a hand pass... what a load of sheet.
- BlackhawkDown

Once the whistle sounds, it can’t be ‘unblown’. If there was no whistle, they could review it.

If you put Kovalchuck on the powerplay who do you replace?
- paulr

Anyone. The PP has been awful all year.

Seriously, on the wall on the opposite side of Kane, where DCat has been.

Are the Hawks the worst team in the league at making line changes, especially in overtime. If you rewatch that goal in OT the line change was a mess.
- -Doh-

Poor COACHING !!!

Anyone. The PP has been awful all year.

Seriously, on the wall on the opposite side of Kane, where DCat has been.
- scottak

So you put Kovi opposite of kane for the one timer? If you are talking about a predictable power play before, this would be worse. Plus you lose mobility and puck retrieval as Kovi at this stage of his career has none.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1225485638394359808

No way he's 200 pounds

Once the whistle sounds, it can’t be ‘unblown’. If there was no whistle, they could review it.
- scottak

Is there proof the whistle sounded? Why did the ref in the o-zone not stop play then, even after having a conversation with Pasta?

I'll even go as far as if the shot missed the net, the play would never have stopped. It was Steve Kozari who waved it off. The guy who told Toews he missed it had nothing to do with the play.

Anyone. The PP has been awful all year.

Seriously, on the wall on the opposite side of Kane, where DCat has been.
- scottak

Remember 2013? Do you remember how good the power play was in the playoffs? Do you remember how good the penalty killing was?

This season the Hawks have dramatically improved their penalty kill. And as you say they rank in the bottom ten on the powerplay. Which do you think is more important to the overall success of the team?

This team isn’t about 2020, it’s about the future. What is the point of giving up young assets or draft picks for an old guy who doesn’t give a (frank) about the Chicago Blackhawks and impede the development of a younger player for a special team? In the immortal words of Elbows .... “(frank) Kovalchuck!”