Imo Chicago should be open To a full scale fire sale and rebuild. Toews and Kane will be 32 next year it's hard to imagine this team can make the playoffs let alone win another cup with the scarce resources they have and the salary constraints.

Crawford , Lehner, Gus, saad , strome , Keith, Maatta, murphy should all be on the table and maybe you approach Kane and see if he is willing to waive his NMC.

Chicago needs high end prospects and high draft picks to fully restock Rockford with up and coming youth.

Instead of a 10 year wasted rebuild that never pans out cut your losses and embrace a true rebuild.

Fire Stan at the end of the season and put in place a competent GM and scouting staff .
- Taylorst1

X


So you want Stan trade the all the players above but then have the team fire him after????????

If you don’t trust him to rebuild the team why let him trade those players then fire him

how many rebuilds has Stan shown he can accomplish. Stan was handed a young talented , deep team. More than not his trades , resignings and draft choices have been a negative .

Stan created his own nightmare with Chicago's salary cap situation knowing full well it would hurt this teams ability to compete after 2015.

I keep hearing the excuse when you win you don't get The value of high prospects , that's not 100% true cat , saad as examples where late round picks. Picking first doesn't guarantee that player either will be a game changer , strome, Nylander mediocre at best.

It's just time for change , Stans worn out his welcome IMO.
His Crap shoot projects , nyla dear, strome , koekkoek haven't turned out that great.
- Taylorst1

At the begging of the season you said this team was good enough to win their division. Now the GM and scouts are incompetent. So which is it? Your opinion isn't worth all that much

I don't understand why people are saying to trade DeBrincat after one bad season. This is the type of player you need as part of the retooling/rebuild/whatever you want to call it. Why trade this established player for picks/prospects that are likely to amount to nothing?
- Hossa1881

Because they are idiots?

Full on sell mode.

Trade:
Gus
Maata
One of Saad or Strome
Crawford
Smith
Nylander
Sikura
Gilbert


No trading of Lehner unless his demands are unrealistic.

Take on as many expiring contracts as we can and get lots of prospects and picks.
- gifman

Seriously, Nylander costs $900k and is 21 years old.

Because they are idiots?
- GPHawksfan

He saves $6.4 million and may not be that good, would hopefully bring a decent return is why.

Thoughts on Lehner: Great goalie that I would love to have. However, given our salary cap constraints, I believe that money is better used elsewhere. Especially when you can resign CC for MUCH cheaper and have two solid prospects in Rockford.

To me, Lehner is perfect for a team that is in a championship window. He provides you that goalie stability for an extended period of time.

I think signing Lehner would send the wrong message to the team and the fans. You can not mask your deficiencies with an elite goaltender. Good lord, where would this team be without Lehner?

Maybe we would've finished bottom 3 this season without him and gotten another top 3 draft pick. Would we be better off this way?

The way I look at it, whatever he gets for Lehner is a plus, it only cost a prorated $5 mil., we didn’t pay any player assets or draft choices for him. If he nets a 2nd rounder, still a win in my book.
- LAHawk

I'm there with you!

Thoughts on Lehner: Great goalie that I would love to have. However, given our salary cap constraints, I believe that money is better used elsewhere. Especially when you can resign CC for MUCH cheaper and have two solid prospects in Rockford.

To me, Lehner is perfect for a team that is in a championship window. He provides you that goalie stability for an extended period of time.

I think signing Lehner would send the wrong message to the team and the fans. You can not mask your deficiencies with an elite goaltender. Good lord, where would this team be without Lehner? Maybe we would've finished bottom 3 and gotten a top 3 draft pick this year and be better off come next season....who knows.
- catrisc

How do we know those prospects in Rockford are solid?

I think signing Lehner would send the wrong message to the team and the fans. You can not mask your deficiencies with an elite goaltender. Good lord, where would this team be without Lehner? Maybe we would've finished bottom 3 and gotten a top 3 draft pick this year and be better off come next season....hmm
- catrisc

Signing Lehner fixes nothing as having TWO elite goaltenders to share the bombardment wasn’t enough to mask how thin and in disarray the team in front of the crease is.

The only hope the FO has to keep him now is another huge overpay which they cannot afford.

How long does a “full scale” rebuild take? What does it look like? What does the hockey look like while it is going on? How long do the fans accept that crap hockey during said rebuild, and what kind of coach is required to shepherd the team through that?

We are currently about two years into a rebuild right now.
- Chunk

It's taken over 10 years in Edmonton and Buffalo, still not cup contenders, 5 years in Detroit, we know what they have, 3 years in LA just starting, Toronto 7 years and their rebuild is dying due to the cap, Montreal sucks... How long does it take?

I would have to be overwhelmed with an offer to move Keith. He is playing some very good hockey. He may have lost a step but can still play big minutes. He is a top pairing defender on most teams. He is at least a 2nd pairing defender on every team. He has a very manageable cap hit for 3 more years. He could help transition the younger dmen in the pipeline (Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin). If deHaan comes back strong next year and Mitchell is signed and proves to be NHL ready the top 6 D is not looking so bad.

Keith
deHaan
Murphy
Boqvist
Mitchell
then pick one of Seabs, K4, Maatta, Gus, Seeler,
- -Doh-

I bet you would agree that you left out one major point about Keith's value: with his experience and role ieven when his performance isa half step slower, he still is our best dman AND THEREFORE each dman lands in a comfortable spot. I know pairings change but Keith assumes top role even when sometimes a Murphy or Boqvist might finish with greater TOI any particular night.

Now whether Keith plays his challenging style using his speed is interesting depending upon his partner. So yes when Keith derives more ice time in even strength and less on Pp, this is a positive development for everyone.

It's taken over 10 years in Edmonton and Buffalo, still not cup contenders, 5 years in Detroit, we know what they have, 3 years in LA just starting, Toronto 7 years and their rebuild is dying due to the cap, Montreal sucks... How long does it take?
- rpeters01

Agree. Rebuild sounds nice. Trade everyone! Fire everyone! Luckily management has cooler heads and assesses each player, coach and front office person individually and tries to make decisions that will improve the team. But like any business when you fire someone or hire someone you are not 100% sure how they will turn out. There is an element of risk involved. I believe Rocky and McD are comfortable with Stan. They also are loyal and take the longer view. I am not so sure where they stand on Colliton.

Thoughts on Lehner: Great goalie that I would love to have. However, given our salary cap constraints, I believe that money is better used elsewhere. Especially when you can resign CC for MUCH cheaper and have two solid prospects in Rockford.

To me, Lehner is perfect for a team that is in a championship window. He provides you that goalie stability for an extended period of time.

I think signing Lehner would send the wrong message to the team and the fans. You can not mask your deficiencies with an elite goaltender. Good lord, where would this team be without Lehner?

Maybe we would've finished bottom 3 this season without him and gotten another top 3 draft pick. Would we be better off this way?
- catrisc

Goaltending is 75% of hockey. Unless you don't have any and then it's 100%.

So if moving out Lehner purely for money reasons is the right message to the team and the fans, I'm sure the players and paying spectators will endorse a Colin Delia/JF Berube type combo next season.

I bet you would agree that you left out one major point about Keith's value: with his experience and role ieven when his performance isa half step slower, he still is our best dman AND THEREFORE each dman lands in a comfortable spot. I know pairings change but Keith assumes top role even when sometimes a Murphy or Boqvist might finish with greater TOI any particular night.

Now whether Keith plays his challenging style using his speed is interesting depending upon his partner. So yes when Keith derives more ice time in even strength and less on Pp, this is a positive development for everyone.
- jhawk59

Yes. I agree he is our top defensemen. I also think he has played at a very high level most of this season. You can sometimes see during the game and hear in interviews his frustration with some of the other dmen or maybe his frustration with the system. But it is not selfish or egotistical. He just wants the D to play the right way (play smart hockey) and with the same passion that he has.

The margin for winning and losing in the NHL is so thin because of the cap that the Hawks aren't that far off.

They need to trim some fat. If they could lose the Maatta deal that would be good. Flipping one of the goalies for futures would be fine.

Regardless of what they do they have 14 millionish on LTIR. Two of those players maybe in that situation for the rest of their career. Buying out Shaw could be an option.

They need to get quicker on the blue line and hire a competent coach. Keith, Murphy, Boqvist, Other should be a decent top 4.

They clean up their breakouts, stop chasing players all over the place in their own zone and maybe deny some entries and this is a playoff team.

Goaltending is 75% of hockey. Unless you don't have any and then it's 100%.

So if moving out Lehner purely for money reasons is the right message to the team and the fans, I'm sure the players and paying spectators will endorse a Colin Delia/JF Berube type combo next season.
- RickJ

If goaltending is 75% of hockey then this must be the worst forward and defensive group in the NHL. Lehner is a top 5 goal this year in saved goals and CC has played rock solid.

I'm guessing you'd agree that without these goalies we'd finish bottom 3 and get a top 3 this summer. Are we better off this way?

This isn't baseball whwre you can unload veteran players who still have value or football where you can cut guys. 'just blowing it up' is not an option in the NHL.

You know why I don't give your posts much credence? Because you want Stan to sell, sell, sell, but then fire him at the end of the year. Why in the heck would you want a guy you think is incompetent to sell assets? AND THEN fire him? That's just plain ridiculous. Also, I think you need to compare all GMs and see where they succeed and fail before you just blurt out how awful Stan is. All GMs make good moves and bad moves (except Chiarelli).

The team is closer to contending then they are to falling off the map in the grand scheme of things. Not this year, but overall. If they can resign Lehner and fix the defensive scheme (whether that's a coaching change or system change or both), and I think they are near the top of the division. That being said, Gus will want too much, trade him now. They have Boqvist to take his spot.
- CanOCorn

Nobody on this board has any influence over Chicago's decision making or personnel.

Now regarding Stan IMO his stay was worn out 2 years ago , however he and MCD made coach Q the scape goat for Chicago's decline , and salary and contract issues .

Chicago is at best a bubble playoff team and that's debatable. Chicago doesn't have the salary cap space next year nor the depth in Rockford to fill in the glaring gaps.

Kane and toews , Seabrook , Keith are all well past their prime . Cat , strome have taken 2 steps back , boqvist is still young and learning and the jury is out on him as to his overall ceiling.

Since Rocky hasn't pulled the trigger on Stan, Stan should take advantage of the trade deadline and look towards Chicago's future ,
Rocky if he intends on firing Stan maybe it's a end of season move .


But if Stan holds pat IMO he should be fired because Gus, Lehner , Crawford, kubalick strome all need to be resigned and Chicago can not afford to resign all those guys and still add to the team.
That's why he should be a seller

The one guy I am afraid the Hawks will trade is Carpenter. He is a solid 200' player, kills penalties, wins faceoffs, can play up and down the lineup in a pinch (though more suited for the 3rd or 4th line), can play center or wing, plays physical, is a smart player, and is only making $1 mil for two more years after this year. If I am a playoff team that wants to solidify my 4th line or PK he is the kind of guy I would go after. I am not sure what teams will offer for him, but I bet Stan gets some calls. If they offer a 3rd round pick, he may have to listen. If they offer a 2nd it is a no brainer. If they offer a 4th I hope Stan says no.

Nobody on this board has any influence over Chicago's decision making or personnel.

Now regarding Stan IMO his stay was worn out 2 years ago , however he and MCD made coach Q the scape goat for Chicago's decline , and salary and contract issues .

Chicago is at best a bubble playoff team and that's debatable. Chicago doesn't have the salary cap space next year nor the depth in Rockford to fill in the glaring gaps.

Kane and toews , Seabrook , Keith are all well past their prime . Cat , strome have taken 2 steps back , boqvist is still young and learning and the jury is out on him as to his overall ceiling.

You are really going to say Kane is passed his prime? His last 2 years have arguably been his best as an individual. Toews after his usual slow start is playing just as well as he has been, he is just missing Hossa/Sharp as his linemates. Keith is past his prime, but he is still a top 2/4 defenseman on all teams, just not Norris Trophy elite. I am sure there are 30 other teams that would love to have him at a $5.5 mil. cap hit for the rest of his career.

Since Rocky hasn't pulled the trigger on Stan, Stan should take advantage of the trade deadline and look towards Chicago's future ,
Rocky if he intends on firing Stan maybe it's a end of season move .


But if Stan holds pat IMO he should be fired because Gus, Lehner , Crawford, kubalick strome all need to be resigned and Chicago can not afford to resign all those guys and still add to the team.
That's why he should be a seller
- Taylorst1

The one guy I am afraid the Hawks will trade is Carpenter. He is a solid 200' player, kills penalties, wins faceoffs, can play up and down the lineup in a pinch (though more suited for the 3rd or 4th line), can play center or wing, plays physical, is a smart player, and is only making $1 mil for two more years after this year. If I am a playoff team that wants to solidify my 4th line or PK he is the kind of guy I would go after. I am not sure what teams will offer for him, but I bet Stan gets some calls. If they offer a 3rd round pick, he may have to listen. If they offer a 2nd it is a no brainer. If they offer a 4th I hope Stan says no.
- -Doh-

Agreed. Adding Caggiula and Highmore to this list. All three of these guys combined are under $3m. Why in the world would you trade any of them? These are all high value guys. When you're in a tough salary cap position, a good GM goes after these types of players (giving Stan credit here). Getting rid of them would be foolish.

Bold prediction.

You have it on good authority that Carolina wouldn't give up the #1 pick they got from Toronto for taking Patrick Marleau off their hands in return for Lehner?

Happy motoring in the playoffs with Mrazek & James Reimer.
- RickJ

Tom Dundon has said not to expect much action from the Canes at the trade deadline.

Said they're still looking at upgrading the blue line (because TVR (frank)ing blows), but they're not going to start trading long term assets (Like 1st round picks) for short term ones just yet.

I think Saad is the asset that would bring the most return back. Toffoli was an overpay because Boeser is hurt. Coleman got in effect 2 #1's, Even if Kreider does not resign with the Rangers, I am sure Stan is fielding calls on Saad.

Agreed. Adding Caggiula and Highmore to this list. All three of these guys combined are under $3m. Why in the world would you trade any of them? These are all high value guys. When you're in a tough salary cap position, a good GM goes after these types of players (giving Stan credit here). Getting rid of them would be foolish.
- catrisc

Of the 3 I would prefer keeping Carpenter.
They could get some calls on Caggiula. Though he has some concussion history and is more of a winger than center. If he is still here I would make him a qualifying offer of a little more than he makes now. If he signs an offer sheet for less than $2mil the Hawks get a 3rd round pick. More than $2 mil a 2nd round pick. So that kind of sets his trade value. I would not mind keeping him.
Highmore is a decent bottom 6 prospect, that is replaceable because the Hawks have other bottom 6 wingers in their system. I doubt they get any calls on him. I would not mind keeping him either. Qualify him with a small raise over his current salary.

Tom Dundon has said not to expect much action from the Canes at the trade deadline.

Said they're still looking at upgrading the blue line (because TVR (frank)ing blows), but they're not going to start trading long term assets (Like 1st round picks) for short term ones just yet.
- BINGO!

Careful with those words around here. People are still salty we gave him away.