Asplund is more in the bottom 6 mode. Seems more like the typical Swede bottom 6 center. Little offensive upside. Solid and sound defensively. Plays hard. Good speed but seems to have plateau offensively.
- Elbows15

If that’s the projection for Asplund, then not an immediate need given the other bottom 6 centers in the system like Entwistle, Hakkarainen, Barratt, and Wise as well as Kurashev who could play higher.

I actually like Asplund’s skill set and pedigree and wouldn’t mind him in the system. Just wouldn’t give up Strome or anything else of significance for him.

Never hurts to stock the pipeline then so who rises to the top and trade the others for other assets like draft picks or prospects at other positions.

Yeah I guess we can't come up with something.
- Buff36

Sorry, not trying to be difficult. I enjoy the trade banter.

For sh!ts and giggles, and assuming he’d allow it and Buffalo wants him, what package would you trade for Kane?

If that’s the projection for Asplund, then not an immediate need given the other bottom 6 centers in the system like Entwistle, Hakkarainen, Barratt, and Wise as well as Kurashev who could play higher.

I actually like Asplund’s skill set and pedigree and wouldn’t mind him in the system. Just wouldn’t give up Strome or anything else of significance for him.

Never hurts to stock the pipeline then so who rises to the top and trade the others for other assets like draft picks or prospects at other positions.
- AEL_Fox

Its why I said acquiring him would be redundant for the Hawks. I think the Hawks have at least a couple of guys in a similar mode that have shown better production. Namely, Kurashev and Barratt.

Strome has produced Top 6 numbers already and most likely will do so again this season if he stays healthy the rest of the season. Asplund seems to top out as 35-ish points per season guy to me. Useful for sure but not someone I would move Strome to acquire.

Also. For some reason, I get the feeling Strome actually may be moved. I had the same feeling about Joki before he was moved. If so, I hope Bowman gets a better return for Strome than he did for Joki.

Oh, that's a definite, he might be on a short leash know. We screwed up about 4 to 5 yrs ago when we traded everything for Kane and ROR, depleted are system and all the picks traded. We were just starting a rebuild and tried to speed it up, basically started from scratch again 3 yrs ago. We screwed up with rushing Mitts, can't afford to mess up with Cozens.
- Buff36

How many GM’s coaches has Buffalo gone through since the Peguila’s took over?

Or, you know, players can stop drilling players from behind in bad positions. Boqvist doesn't play that puck and most of this board will label him soft for the rest of his days in Chicago.
- Elbows15

I’d have to look at the play again to confirm my memory, but wasn’t it a sideways hit, rather than getting drilled between the numbers from behind. If he positions his body closer to the boards, he doesn’t get hurt.

Its why I said acquiring him would be redundant for the Hawks. I think the Hawks have at least a couple of guys in a similar mode that have shown better production. Namely, Kurashev and Barratt.

Strome has produced Top 6 numbers already and most likely will do so again this season if he stays healthy the rest of the season. Asplund seems to top out as 35-ish points per season guy to me. Useful for sure but not someone I would move Strome to acquire.

Also. For some reason, I get the feeling Strome actually may be moved. I had the same feeling about Joki before he was moved. If so, I hope Bowman gets a better return for Strome than he did for Joki.
- Elbows15

Agree on all points.

I’ve gotten that hunch too on Strome being a trade chip. Prefer he stay as he can be a key cog moving forward.

He has also outwardly expressed how indebted he is to the organization. Not that brownie points like that count much.

Bowman would have to be insane to move Lehner or Crawford at this point..... First off I think Lehner is the goalie of the future - at least for the next 5 years at least - and Crow could be a solid backup next season on a cheap contract (750k, er maybe 1M).... But not only that - the Hawks have a TON of cap space to really improve this team at the trade deadline.... Bowman is in an excellent position to improve this team drastically... The Hawks could realistically go from a "bubble team" to a contender if Bowman uses the cap space correctly and brings in the right UFA's/RFA's....

Obviously anyone Bowman brings in will have to be on an expiring contract, or trade a guy that has a few more years left on his deal...

The Hawks are in an interesting position, but going all in now is the right thing to do... Selling and throwing in the towel would just be silly...

Question for Bowman, what kind of thought process is it to wait until the trade deadline to make any acquisitions to improve the team's playoff chances when there are still 8 games until that deadline. With teams so closely bunched, every win will matter. Bowman is sitting tight to see what the team does before buying or selling when he should be aggressive in improving the chances of winning now, not hoping for the best at Feb. the 24 deadline. With a key addition now, either at forward or defense or both, one win very well may be the difference between participating in the playoffs or watching them. How about a little initiative Stan ??

Its why I said acquiring him would be redundant for the Hawks. I think the Hawks have at least a couple of guys in a similar mode that have shown better production. Namely, Kurashev and Barratt.

Strome has produced Top 6 numbers already and most likely will do so again this season if he stays healthy the rest of the season. Asplund seems to top out as 35-ish points per season guy to me. Useful for sure but not someone I would move Strome to acquire.

Also. For some reason, I get the feeling Strome actually may be moved. I had the same feeling about Joki before he was moved. If so, I hope Bowman gets a better return for Strome than he did for Joki.
- Elbows15

You’re feeling about Strome being in play may be more from comments here than vibrations from the UC.

Why move a 50+ points guy - RFA (not UFA) this summer) - competent at least 2C who may be better on wing - just coming into his own....

We seem to like trading skaters approaching their potential and building a team full of draft picks, prospects, and cap space.

At some point, you have to go with the talent you have.

And the notion that Bowman would just trade Strome is absolutely ridiculous....

It's almost like Hawk fans believe if they're not sure-fire contenders that they should have a fire sale.....

You don't trade Strome, that would be about as ridiculous as trading Dach, DeBrincat or Boqvist.....

The Hawks will be buyers - not sellers.... The Hawks have too much cap space to drastically improve this team going forward - they can take contracts that the majority of contenders and bubble teams cant take on - and that is a good position to be in...

But no, some of you want to trade Strome, a 22-year-old kid...... For what exactly? a 4th round pick and a bag of pucks? lol

Question for Bowman, what kind of thought process is it to wait until the trade deadline to make any acquisitions to improve the team's playoff chances when there are still 8 games until that deadline. With teams so closely bunched, every win will matter. Bowman is sitting tight to see what the team does before buying or selling when he should be aggressive in improving the chances of winning now, not hoping for the best at Feb. the 24 deadline. With a key addition now, either at forward or defense or both, one win very well may be the difference between participating in the playoffs or watching them. How about a little initiative Stan ??
- Gary0301

How do you know Bowman isn't working the phones??? I mean trades take time - this isn't NHL2020..... I've played in simulated hockey leagues, not only that but I collect hockey cards too and I can tell you that trades can take time to make up to 2-3 weeks at times.... It's not like you make a phone call and 20 minutes later a deal is done.....

Bowman would have to be insane to move Lehner or Crawford at this point..... First off I think Lehner is the goalie of the future - at least for the next 5 years at least - and Crow could be a solid backup next season on a cheap contract (750k, er maybe 1M).... But not only that - the Hawks have a TON of cap space to really improve this team at the trade deadline.... Bowman is in an excellent position to improve this team drastically... The Hawks could realistically go from a "bubble team" to a contender if Bowman uses the cap space correctly and brings in the right UFA's/RFA's....

Obviously anyone Bowman brings in will have to be on an expiring contract, or trade a guy that has a few more years left on his deal...

The Hawks are in an interesting position, but going all in now is the right thing to do... Selling and throwing in the towel would just be silly...
- Savard2Secord

Why in the world do you think Crow would sign for pennies?

How do you know Bowman isn't working the phones??? I mean trades take time - this isn't NHL2020..... I've played in simulated hockey leagues, not only that but I collect hockey cards too and I can tell you that trades can take time to make up to 2-3 weeks at times.... It's not like you make a phone call and 20 minutes later a deal is done.....
- Savard2Secord

Hopefully he is, but I can only go by what he said in his most recent interview when he said he would wait until the deadline to see what position the team was in before he bought or sold. I guess we will all wait to see if the Hawks do something in time to make the playoffs or not, I just prefer an aggressive GM not a wait and see one.
I will go back to my NHL 2020 now. Thanks.

How do you know Bowman isn't working the phones??? I mean trades take time - this isn't NHL2020..... I've played in simulated hockey leagues, not only that but I collect hockey cards too and I can tell you that trades can take time to make up to 2-3 weeks at times.... It's not like you make a phone call and 20 minutes later a deal is done.....
- Savard2Secord

Now I see where your expertise comes from.

Bowman would have to be insane to move Lehner or Crawford at this point..... First off I think Lehner is the goalie of the future - at least for the next 5 years at least - and Crow could be a solid backup next season on a cheap contract (750k, er maybe 1M).... But not only that - the Hawks have a TON of cap space to really improve this team at the trade deadline.... Bowman is in an excellent position to improve this team drastically... The Hawks could realistically go from a "bubble team" to a contender if Bowman uses the cap space correctly and brings in the right UFA's/RFA's....

Obviously anyone Bowman brings in will have to be on an expiring contract, or trade a guy that has a few more years left on his deal...

The Hawks are in an interesting position, but going all in now is the right thing to do... Selling and throwing in the towel would just be silly...
- Savard2Secord

That ain't gonna happen

Question for Bowman, what kind of thought process is it to wait until the trade deadline to make any acquisitions to improve the team's playoff chances when there are still 8 games until that deadline. With teams so closely bunched, every win will matter. Bowman is sitting tight to see what the team does before buying or selling when he should be aggressive in improving the chances of winning now, not hoping for the best at Feb. the 24 deadline. With a key addition now, either at forward or defense or both, one win very well may be the difference between participating in the playoffs or watching them. How about a little initiative Stan ??
- Gary0301

It takes 2 to tango. A lot of teams are in the same position as the Hawks. There is still 2 weeks until the TDL. Also, how do you know that the other GM’s like what Hockey cards a Stan has

You’re feeling about Strome being in play may be more from comments here than vibrations from the UC.

Why move a 50+ points guy - RFA (not UFA) this summer) - competent at least 2C who may be better on wing - just coming into his own....

We seem to like trading skaters approaching their potential and building a team full of draft picks, prospects, and cap space.

At some point, you have to go with the talent you have.
- StLBravesFan

Why move a young RHD? The move to wing. The lack of any sort of whispers about an extension are better possibilities for the feeling than comments made here.

Oh and as you have pointed out many times, maybe they just don't have enough talent at this point.

ok, WHO exactly should we get on an EXPIRING contract that would help for the remainder of this season. And oh yes, we want a sweetener, a NICE one. All that LTIR cap space is not being used effectively at the moment. Trade deadline is Monday Feb 24th. Come on Bowman, lets do a mega deal somewhere. And it ABSOLUTELY must include Gus going OUT the door.

And the notion that Bowman would just trade Strome is absolutely ridiculous....

It's almost like Hawk fans believe if they're not sure-fire contenders that they should have a fire sale.....

You don't trade Strome, that would be about as ridiculous as trading Dach, DeBrincat or Boqvist.....

The Hawks will be buyers - not sellers.... The Hawks have too much cap space to drastically improve this team going forward - they can take contracts that the majority of contenders and bubble teams cant take on - and that is a good position to be in...

But no, some of you want to trade Strome, a 22-year-old kid...... For what exactly? a 4th round pick and a bag of pucks? lol
- Savard2Secord

So was the notion that Bowman would trade Joki and yet it happened. Very few have said they want to trade Strome.

Giving away long term assets to make a foolhardy run to try to make the playoffs to get smoked by one of the top 2 teams in the conference is a great way to stay mired in mediocrity.

It takes 2 to tango. A lot of teams are in the same position as the Hawks. There is still 2 weeks until the TDL. Also, how do you know that the other GM’s like what Hockey cards a Stan has
- LAHawk

POTD

Never hoping for injuries (did I say that?), one scenario that would help the Blackhawks is that Mtl gets into the playoff picture and Price gets injured. Crow going to Mtl would not be out of the picture. But, Mtl will go as far as Price can carry them.

The probability of acquiring help for this year is slim. Sellers are not going to send you good young talent, not in season, those are hockey trades for off season. Buyers are not going to send you NHL ready young players, they need them for their run. We will receive draft picks and/or young players not NHL ready. Older talent from sellers is probably not good talent, you’re going to get Smith type players with expiring contracts and draft picks, this is real world. I hope that I’m wrong but I just don’t see it.

Never hoping for injuries (did I say that?), one scenario that would help the Blackhawks is that Mtl gets into the playoff picture and Price gets injured. Crow going to Mtl would not be out of the picture. But, Mtl will go as far as Price can carry them.
- powerenforcer

I hope Smith gets injured every shift.

The probability of acquiring help for this year is slim. Sellers are not going to send you good young talent, not in season, those are hockey trades for off season. Buyers are not going to send you NHL ready young players, they need them for their run. We will receive draft picks and/or young players not NHL ready. Older talent from sellers is probably not good talent, you’re going to get Smith type players with expiring contracts and draft picks, this is real world. I hope that I’m wrong but I just don’t see it.
- Angotti

Draft picks work for me. The more the merrier.

Except Sikura had an overall game.
- StLBravesFan

Best you can hope for Sikura is +/-0.