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Mailbag: Blackhawks Trade Deadline Edition |
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Who would have thunk it? The Hawks are in the thick of the 2019 NHL Playoff race.
Well, this sure complications things in terms of what Bowman does from now until 3 pm on Monday, doesn't it?
In anticipation of this year's deadline, I wanted to compile a mailbag blog where I answer questions, comments and concerns about the trade deadline and future of this team.
Without further ado, here we go…
Skeletor88: Hey gonna throw some trade ideas for Friday blog.
ANA: Saad, Forsling + pick CHI: Manson and Ritchie
Both players add toughness and I think Ritchie could be a good fit with Kane and Toews. If not he's a good Third line LW
CLB: AA, Dahlstrom, 2020 2nd CHI: Wennberg and R. Murray
New scenery for Wennberg and Murray, If healthy, could be a solid top 4
JL: For the Anaheim trade, I can't see Saad, Forsling + pick tempting GM Bob Murray enough to move two pieces like Manson and Ritchie.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see that type of physicality added to the Hawks but can't see it happening. Plus Manson is a RHD and the Hawks are stacked there at the moment.
In regards to the CLB trade proposal, you have listed above, the package to Columbus is not near enough to land both Wennberg and Murray. I do like both of those guys but trades like these would need more from CHI side and will likely happen in the offseason. Murray is already a top 4 D and if the Hawks can get him alone, I would really like that. I think he plays the type of game the Hawks crave on the backend.
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HawkintheD: Hey TC. Hope all is well in the Great White North.
I'll pose 4 questions.
1) If the Hawks are silent at the TDL, what would you prioritize as needs in the offseason in order and who might you go after? Top 6 fwd, bottom 6 fwd, top 4 dman?
2) Of the players who will be RFA's at the end of the season, do you bring them all back and what might a reasonable contract for the ones you do look like?
3) Say Stan is able to complete another hockey deal in the realm of the Strome for Schmaltz trade at the TDL...what and who would you like to see him target and who from the Hawks could go the other way?
4) Finally, do you think Colliton can install his system next season where with a full camp and growth from some of the yutes, the Hawks won't be so bad as a team on D?
JL: All is well here other than a flooded basement, HawkintheD.
To answer your questions:
1) My top priority would be a top 4 defender; a guy that is a pain to play against and knows how to play extremely well in his own end. I would then look for the Hawks to spend some money on a top 6, followed by giving a facelift to the bottom 6. This is all dependent on the goaltending situation being figured out of course because if it's not, that has to be addressed.
2) The notable RFAs and my decision on them as it stands now:
* Dylan Sikura – resign him to a 1-2 year deal at around $1M. He hasn't shown me much yet.
* Brendan Perlini – resign him to a 1-year "show me" deal around $1M. I still see something in him and a guy with his size and speed – if he can get it together – would be a welcomed addition on my team any day.
* Gustav Forsling – I wouldn't not sign him, but I have a feeling he may be getting moved. TBD at this point.
* Slater Koekkoek – I have liked his game but you can't bring back the exact same defence and pretend things will be different. Depending on how things shake out, I would resign him to a 1-year "show me" deal for 800k-900k.
* Carl Dahlstrom – makes sense to keep him and sign him to a 2-year deal for around 800k-900k as well. Both he and Koekkoek can be buried in Rockford if the Hawks decide to add or go in a different direction.
3) Very difficult to gauge that at this time. I don't see anything to that volume unless it involves Erik Gustafsson and/or Brandon Saad. More realistically though, you see a reclamation project at the level of a Josh Ho-Sang (not a real rumour, just adding context).
4) Yes, I think Colliton tightens up his entire system given more time. They can't be this bad again on defence, can they?
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Fattybeef: Is Dougie available and what would the Hawks need to throw at Carolina to make that happen?
JL: It sure sounds like he's available. He's a RHD and apparently an odd cat, so I'm not personally advocating for the Hawks to trade for him, however, if they were, I think the conversation starts with Brandon Saad + another player (Sikura?) + prospect. Just spitballin'.
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Savetheembers33: 1) I've been saying for awhile he (Dahlstrom) would be a very effective 6-7 on a good team. Seems like the Hawks have at three solid D-men in Keith, Murphy, and Joki and a host of average D-men. My question is do they spread their better guys out or pair them together to try n play more solid as a unit? Or do they go more top heavy?
2) If the Hawks could get a young legit Top 4 D-man who's either still on their ELC or signed to a reasonable contract with term, would you trade our 1st Rd pick this year to help improve this teams chances at winning now rather than have to wait for someone to develop when Toews and Kane's play may be on the downside?
Bonus, if you would, who would you like the Hawks to target and does it matter if they are a righty or lefty?
JL: 1) I think you need to put guys in positions to succeed. The Hawks are in a tough spot. For example, I think they are playing Keith-Seabrook together for comfortability, as well as to help Seabs. Dahlstrom and Murphy are their best "shutdown" pairing. My true answer is they are just not good enough as a team and unit of 6-7 on the backend – they need to improve and that will likely come via trade.
2) No. I don't think I'm making that trade unless we're talking about an elite defender but I don't see that happening. They are going to need to get creative in the offseason IMO.
Bonus) I think they need a top 4 lefty D. They have Jokiharju, Murphy, Seabrook locked in on the right with Boqvist and Mitchell in the wings. Obviously, those guys could shift, but when looking at that, a lefty just makes more sense to me.
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Chunk: Mailbag Q's:
1) Which of the D do you think the Hawks are truly thinking about moving, and are they doing so with the expectation that one of the young guys coming up making the team next year or filling with an established player?
2) With all of the concentration on our defense being so bad, are the Hawks looking at forwards to help on that end?
3) Assuming that he is "fully" healthy, under what circumstance would the Hawks trade Crow (yes I know about his clause...).
JL: 1) I think you'll hear guys like Forsling, Koekkoek and maybe Gustafsson this weekend as potentials. Unless you include as a larger package for a top 4, I don't think they want more defencemen in return. Jokiharju is in Rockford and the assumption is some younger players will challenge for a spot with the Hawks and/or in Rockford next year.
2) Yes, 100%. The Hawks overall system needs to be tweaked. Also, the personnel at forward in the form of 200-foot players/defensively responsible players up front will be looked at in the offseason.
3) I think Crawford is nearly untradeable at this point due to his health risk to another team.
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Scott1977: Mailbag Q:
Justin does AA gust forsling kruger ward get moved
What kind a package would it take to get a stable veteran d man.
A couple trade scenarios:
AA sikrua perlini forsling and 2020 2nd to carolina for
Fogle/roy fleury and 3rd 2018
Same package to columbus for
Carlsson jenner/Anderson and 2019 3rd
JL: Scott, my guess is Forsling and Kruger are the most likely out of those 4 to go by Monday. AA goes in the summer when his NTC is lifted and Ward is either resigned for 1-year or they let him walk.
The Carolina trade is creative, but think the Hawks are giving too much up there. Fleury could be a nice addition but too unproven at this point to offer that much up for him.
Same for Columbus but I think the Blue Jackets could be a team the Hawks could make a move with from now until the TDL. I suggested that maybe Panarin doesn't come to Chicago, rather AA goes to Columbus to be reunited for him for a playoff run. The return wouldn't be huge and could be very underwhelming like an Anisimov for Riley Nash (who hasn't quite panned out) type move.
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Thanks to all who put forward questions.
I will be living on the message boards and twitter from here on out until 3 pm EST strikes on Monday. I will update if I hear anything or any rumours emerge.
I haven't been hearing much lately and I wouldn't be completely shocked if Bowman sits on his hands a bit and rides this team into March. We've all been surprised in the past though - so we'll see!
See ya out there,
JL
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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