Continuing the morning bathroom reading:

Bleacher report came out with 10 trades that make sense.

http://bleacherreport.com...make-perfect-sense/page/4

Here is the Chicago related trade:

Mark Fayne to Chicago; Bryan Bickell to New Jersey

Early morning Bathroom reading:

http://www.thefourthperio...deadline/top25/index.html

Top25 trade assets with interested teams as brought to you by thefourthperiod.com. Has the Hawks interested in Ott and Ryan Smyth...
- ikeane

Even if the other team took half the player's salary...a kid (Pirri) goes down and a rostered player (more than Kostka's salary) has to go.

To paraphrase DarthKane... Stan already did his TDL deal with Versteeg and at most will get a cheap bottom six forward who can play on the PK. My own addition...even a bottom six trade causes Pirri to go down, which results in the reshuffling to try to find someone to play 2C.

That is a good question, NTH. To be fair to them, though, Kostka's first couple of games to start the season had some on this board suggesting his presence would allow for a trade of one of the top 5 d-men. That said, he hasn't looked useful at all since returning from the injury.
- mohel

If Kostka had continued to play well, then it'd make sense to send one of him or Brookbank away.

But he hasn't, so he should be the one to get the boot, if anyone does. I'm not convinced Kostka'd get claimed if they waived him.

Even if the other team took half the player's salary...a kid (Pirri) goes down and a rostered player (more than Kostka's salary) has to go.

To paraphrase DarthKane... Stan already did his TDL deal with Versteeg and at most will get a cheap bottom six forward who can play on the PK. My own addition...even a bottom six trade causes Pirri to go down, which results in the reshuffling to try to find someone to play 2C.
- mohel

While I don't disagree, I am feeding the forum with new topics to discuss, or as I have labelled it, some bathroom reading if people are bored.

While I don't disagree, I am feeding the forum with new topics to discuss, or as I have labelled it, some bathroom reading if people are bored.
- ikeane

Yep, I understood that - should have clarified I was responding to the article and not you! Good to have stuff to talk about!

Yep, I understood that - should have clarified I was responding to the article and not you! Good to have stuff to talk about!
- mohel

To me, I would not mind the Bleacher Report trade. Bollig is outperforming Bickell this year, and the reaction I see here is that Bickell's uninspired play is because of his knees. His knees have been fine before and we saw the same level of play. Outside of the monster playoffs last year, he has continued to float pucks from the blue line, and does not crash the net with physicality on a regular basis as his frame suggests. For $4 mil a year, there are much better options. Fayne would banish Kostka to waivers/Icehogs, and is on an expiring contract.

Even if the other team took half the player's salary...a kid (Pirri) goes down and a rostered player (more than Kostka's salary) has to go.

To paraphrase DarthKane... Stan already did his TDL deal with Versteeg and at most will get a cheap bottom six forward who can play on the PK. My own addition...even a bottom six trade causes Pirri to go down, which results in the reshuffling to try to find someone to play 2C.
- mohel

Pirri wouldn't have to go down if a roster player is moved in the deal.

While I don't disagree, I am feeding the forum with new topics to discuss, or as I have labelled it, some bathroom reading if people are bored.
- ikeane

Maybe you'd better save some for the Ogi break.

Pirri wouldn't have to go down if a roster player is moved in the deal.
- StLBravesFan

This is true, if the salary of the roster player that goes is enough.

To me, I would not mind the Bleacher Report trade. Bollig is outperforming Bickell this year, and the reaction I see here is that Bickell's uninspired play is because of his knees. His knees have been fine before and we saw the same level of play. Outside of the monster playoffs last year, he has continued to float pucks from the blue line, and does not crash the net with physicality on a regular basis as his frame suggests. For $4 mil a year, there are much better options. Fayne would banish Kostka to waivers/Icehogs, and is on an expiring contract.
- ikeane

Even if the other team took half the player's salary...a kid (Pirri) goes down and a rostered player (more than Kostka's salary) has to go.

To paraphrase DarthKane... Stan already did his TDL deal with Versteeg and at most will get a cheap bottom six forward who can play on the PK. My own addition...even a bottom six trade causes Pirri to go down, which results in the reshuffling to try to find someone to play 2C.
- mohel

I wouldn't be upset by a deal like this, but I wouldn't be aggressively pursuing it either. Bickell has struggled, but I don't know if I'd give up on him just yet. I'd continue to sit Bickell for a few more games so he gets the message loud and clear but there is a lot he can still bring to the team. When Bickell is on his game (like last season) he brings something to the team that nobody else can. At this point this regular season is a write off for Bickell, I'm just hoping he gets his act together for the playoffs.

$4 million is a lot for Bickell, but if the can be a 20/20 guy then it't not so bad, especially in years 3 and 4.

If Pirri continues to play well then I question the need for Stan to make any deal. If he has the opportunity to make the team better then I'm sure he will. But if the lines are clicking and Q has Handzus as the 13th forward to plug as as required then all is good.

Bickell + Icehog for Callahan .

The $ evens out .

Rangers get a proven playoff commodity that is signed thru 2017 for their unsigned asset.

The Hawks get a real deal top 6 forward.

..... to dream....

I wouldn't be upset by a deal like this, but I wouldn't be aggressively pursuing it either. Bickell has struggled, but I don't know if I'd give up on him just yet. I'd continue to sit Bickell for a few more games so he gets the message loud and clear but there is a lot he can still bring to the team. When Bickell is on his game (like last season) he brings something to the team that nobody else can. At this point this regular season is a write off for Bickell, I'm just hoping he gets his act together for the playoffs.

$4 million is a lot for Bickell, but if the can be a 20/20 guy then it't not so bad, especially in years 3 and 4.
- DarthKane

I think we need to consider the view of Bickell among the teams he could be traded to. JJ's Jets rumor had the Hawks needing to send TT to the Jets in order to get them to trade Ladd for Bickell. I would think that right now most teams are not high on Bickell, especially at his new salary. If that's the case, I don't see the Hawks getting much for him. If they could trade him, they'd be selling low. I'd rather stick with him.

I think we need to consider the view of Bickell among the teams he could be traded to. JJ's Jets rumor had the Hawks needing to send TT to the Jets in order to get them to trade Ladd for Bickell. I would think that right now most teams are not high on Bickell, especially at his new salary. If that's the case, I don't see the Hawks getting much for him. If they could trade him, they'd be selling low. I'd rather stick with him.
- mohel

Bingo, he cant get much worse than he has been this year, so hold onto him until he finds his game

I wouldn't be upset by a deal like this, but I wouldn't be aggressively pursuing it either. Bickell has struggled, but I don't know if I'd give up on him just yet. I'd continue to sit Bickell for a few more games so he gets the message loud and clear but there is a lot he can still bring to the team. When Bickell is on his game (like last season) he brings something to the team that nobody else can. At this point this regular season is a write off for Bickell, I'm just hoping he gets his act together for the playoffs.

$4 million is a lot for Bickell, but if the can be a 20/20 guy then it't not so bad, especially in years 3 and 4.
- DarthKane

Sit him until after the O-break: if it's his knee, give him more time to heal and get used to the braces.

If not - let him watch for a week. This means Handzus has to play the next four games - and the Olympics - without a break - he can get some rest after March 1.

Bickell + Icehog for Callahan .

The $ evens out .

Rangers get a proven playoff commodity that is signed thru 2017 for their unsigned asset.

The Hawks get a real deal top 6 forward.

..... to dream....
- mrpaulish

I suspect the Rangers could get a better deal elsewhere. If I were the Rangers I'd be curious about why the Hawks want to get rid of that proven playoff commodity that is signed thru 2017.

I suspect the Rangers could get a better deal elsewhere. If I were the Rangers I'd be curious about why the Hawks want to get rid of that proven playoff commodity that is signed thru 2017.
- mohel

Obviously .

Its just that you could sell his size and maybe arrogance of NYR , AV , could think they could motivate Bickell. I dont know. If it was Bickell and Morin would that tickle their fancy a bit more ?

Im really sick of Bickells routine . He could be a STUD. Bickell with any motivation could pot 20 goals a year for the next 5 years at least. He is such an az zhole. lol

Obviously .

Its just that you could sell his size and maybe arrogance of NYR , AV , could think they could motivate Bickell. I dont know. If it was Bickell and Morin would that tickle their fancy a bit more ?

Im really sick of Bickells routine . He could be a STUD. Bickell with any motivation could pot 20 goals a year for the next 5 years at least. He is such an az zhole. lol
- mrpaulish

Most of us aren't happy with Bickell, but I think he's worth holding onto. Especially since no team will be willing to take him on. It's not worth sweetening the pot with a top prospect just to unload Bickell's contract either.

Most of us aren't happy with Bickell, but I think he's worth holding onto. Especially since no team will be willing to take him on. It's not worth sweetening the pot with a top prospect just to unload Bickell's contract either.
- DarthKane

I question this only because if Stan can swap him out now , even though this is a Bickell low point , it could be his high point... ya know ?

Most of us aren't happy with Bickell, but I think he's worth holding onto. Especially since no team will be willing to take him on. It's not worth sweetening the pot with a top prospect just to unload Bickell's contract either.
- DarthKane

I'm still waiting for all the guys who said they don't care what he does in the regular season as long as he produces in the playoffs to show up and support those numerous postings from last year.

I'm still waiting for all the guys who said they don't care what he does in the regular season as long as he produces in the playoffs to show up and support those numerous postings from last year.
- Q...argh

I think you've seen a couple of us here today, right here on this very thread. You know, the ones who don't want to trade him.... Anyway, what do you want to know? Hawks are an upper-echelon team with him playing like crap. If he brings it in the playoffs - something he's done several times now - I'll be fine. Will you?

Most of us aren't happy with Bickell, but I think he's worth holding onto. Especially since no team will be willing to take him on. It's not worth sweetening the pot with a top prospect just to unload Bickell's contract either.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Unless somehow somebody is dumb enough to let go of a player the quality of Ladd or Callahan for Bickell and some lesser package not involving TT, then no more moves should happen, aside from maybe goin after a vet 4C or 6th/7th Dman for cheap.

Agreed. Unless somehow somebody is dumb enough to let go of a player the quality of Ladd or Callahan for Bickell and some lesser package not involving TT, then no more moves should happen, aside from maybe goin after a vet 4C or 6th/7th Dman for cheap.
- SimpleJack

You're a wise man, Jack! Of course, I say that because I agree with you....

You're a wise man, Jack! Of course, I say that because I agree with you....
- mohel

yeah, i can make sense every now and then. Glad ur on board with this one.