At lunch, Sportsnet reported that Canuck Management prevented Gillis from trading Kesler.
- paulr

Probably because Gillis won't be the GM when the Canucks do trade Kesler. Good ole GMMG might want to get a realtor right about now.

Getting Kesler will have a big cost. Leddy and TT sounds about right although I am not sure I would pull the trigger on this. If you go after a top #2 center you will need to give up some value. I think this rumor does make sense. Could be an interesting draft day.

Doesn't have to skip, u can easily post it during lunch or recess when ur in the 6th grade...
- SimpleJack

Shouldn't a sixth grader know something about capitalization, grammar and puctuation?

I'd certainly hope so

If the offer was Ryan Kesler for all of that? No thanks, I'll pass that up very quickly.

Though, to consider the rumour, I wouldn't be surprised that when Gillis gets canned, if this Kesler rumour still is hanging around at the end of the season, maybe there is a more reasonable possibility that the Hawks go after Kesler.

I know it might hurt his value if he plays, but, I can't be the only one that still wants to see TT on the ice in North America before launching him....right?
- prd797

U better not be the only one! I hope he comes up in April and dazzles....and then REMAINS a Hawks unless we are forced to make a big time move in wake of an early playoff exit.

U better not be the only one! I hope he comes up in April and dazzles....and then REMAINS a Hawks unless we are forced to make a big time move in wake of an early playoff exit.
- SimpleJack

There's ZERO guarantee that TT will be remotely close to the NHL player Kesler already IS.

Because of his jersey I am not curreently a Kesler fan, but in red with the Indian head I would sure would be a fan HUGE hurry. TT and $1.50 guarantees me a small coffee. Kesler and $1.50 guanrantees a small coffee and that the Hawks have a top end, ready made 1 2 punch at center for the next 5 years.
- paulr

DING DING DING DING

Give Kane credit. He might not be consuming the kook-aid much of the fan base does.

I'd certainly hope so

If the offer was Ryan Kesler for all of that? No thanks, I'll pass that up very quickly.

Though, to consider the rumour, I wouldn't be surprised that when Gillis gets canned, if this Kesler rumour still is hanging around at the end of the season, maybe there is a more reasonable possibility that the Hawks go after Kesler.

I know it might hurt his value if he plays, but, I can't be the only one that still wants to see TT on the ice in North America before launching him....right?
- prd797

Getting Kesler makes sense, the 2C problem is solved and it makes Kane happy (and easier to resign). Losing Shaw would hurt but I would get over it, there could be replacements along the way in Morin, Ross, Hartman or McNeill. Maybe that's why Morin was kept at the TDL. Losing TT might be tough, but it would put us in a solid position for 2 years (at least at forward). I'm surprised they wouldn't ask for Kruger over Shaw.

We'd have to get a low cost defensemen back, losing both Oduya and Leddy would hurt our depth big time. Rundblad could be solid on the 3rd pairing but we'd need somebody like Tanev to come back.

The biggest part of all of this is keeping Kane happy. Sure, the team is more important but if we can improve the team and keep Kane happy (and re-signed) it's a win/win.

Interesting.

Because he's already won two cups and make money.

In this next free agency deal he should be seeking max dollars.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Kane, Sharp, Keith, Seabs, and Toews are basically like brothers at this point and with the cap going up the Hawks will be able to offer both Toews and Kane max or very close to max contracts. I just dont see him leaving to go to some bottom dwelling team that offers him 1 more mil per year

DING DING DING DING

Give Kane credit. He might not be consuming the kook-aid much of the fan base does.
- John Jaeckel

Please tell me 'kook' was a Freudian slip.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Those of you that are here saying that we have TT and these plethora of prospects coming up and that they shouldn't be traded are delusional.

Keith is into his 30's
Seabrook is close
Sharp is as well
Hossa has a few seasons left

This team needs to be looking at moves to win RIGHT NOW. Kesler brings them the second line center this team has needed for years and Kane should be demanding. Kesler is an elite center who fills so many holes.

I, for one, hope they do make a push for Kesler.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I agree with the win now mindset....but it has to be balanced with preparing for the future. Its all depending on the level of desperation(based on how much realistic time the current team has left with a chance to win a Cup). Right now, we shouldnt feel quite as desperate as u make it seem. Hossa has a couple more years left of playing a top 6 role as long as he's managed properly. Sharp is still gonna be an elite quality top 6 winger for at least another 2 years. Kane and Toews are only now entering their primes. Keith and Seabs will be elite for at least 2-3 more years based on their ages. And then u look at all the role players like Saad, Shaw, Kruger, Bickell, Hammer, Leddy, etc....all relatively young. My point is we shouldnt feel yet like we're at the point where we have one last chance for one final cup run and thats it. Things might only be getting started around here....

why would Kane EVER want to leave Chicago where he is the biggest celebrity in the city, has won 2 cups, and has an amazing supporting cast around him. Keith, Kane, Seabrook, and Toews will all retire as Blackhawks after raising another 2-3 Stanley Cups.
- EnzoD

Well exactly, he won two Cups and a Conn Smythe.

And to be fair Jonathan Toews has an amazing supporting cast around him. Patrick Kane is dragging around junk.

And one could argue that has played a major factor in his absence from recent MVP discussion.

It may matter, it may not matter, it could matter down the road. Look at the St Louis situation and how a good soldier for the most part demanded out of what looked like a decent situation in Tampa... Especially after dealing with them out of the mix for as long as they were.

Please tell me 'kook' was a Freudian slip.
- paulr

indeed

Getting Kesler makes sense, the 2C problem is solved and it makes Kane happy (and easier to resign). Losing Shaw would hurt but I would get over it, there could be replacements along the way in Morin, Ross, Hartman or McNeill. Maybe that's why Morin was kept at the TDL. Losing TT might be tough, but it would put us in a solid position for 2 years (at least at forward). I'm surprised they wouldn't ask for Kruger over Shaw.

We'd have to get a low cost defensemen back, losing both Oduya and Leddy would hurt our depth big time. Rundblad could be solid on the 3rd pairing but we'd need somebody like Tanev to come back.

The biggest part of all of this is keeping Kane happy. Sure, the team is more important but if we can improve the team and keep Kane happy (and re-signed) it's a win/win.
- DarthKane

NO! If Kane is unhappy about this situation how long is it before he is unhappy with another situation? Yesterday I lost respect for the childish selfishness of Martin St. Louis. So far only fans have said Kane is acting as childish and as selfish, hopefully it only fans that feel this way.

That would take a leap of faith to move Runblad into a top 4 position with Hjalmarsson. Keeps a pair so Swedes on the second pairing, but Pizza man would be missed. Makes the bottom pairings any of the following: Johns/Dahlbeck/Roszival (if he does not retire this summer).

That is a colossal amount of inexperience at the bottom 3 defensemen level.

Think Brookbank, Handzus, and Roszival all leave this summer via FA or retirement

Using the Leddy, TT, and Shaw proposal it makes the team look like this IMO:

Sharp-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Kesler-Kane
Bickell-Kruger-Versteeg
Bollig-Regin/Nordstrom-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-Rundblad
Johns-Dahlbeck

Leaves the offseason shopping list as:

-#3/4 center (Malhotra type)

-probably 2 #6/7 depth defensemen so Johns plays in Rockford and Dahlbeck rotates in and out of the #6 defenseman role.

- Backup goalie (unless Raanta can be resigned

- Rockford depth (similar to the Winchester signing from last offseason)

Leddy has the $2.7 mil cap hit next year, Shaw has a $2 mil cap hit, and TT has a $925k which is $5.625 mil heading to Vancouver, and Kesler's $5 mil cap space coming back barring any other players coming back with Kesler

DING DING DING DING

Give Kane credit. He might not be consuming the kook-aid much of the fan base does.
- John Jaeckel

The Canucks would have to include a prospect in return too, maybe Gaunce or Shinkaruk.

If Kane doesn't want to resign. Ship his ass to the worst team in the league at the deadline next season.

I agree with the win now mindset....but it has to be balanced with preparing for the future. Its all depending on the level of desperation(based on how much realistic time the current team has left with a chance to win a Cup). Right now, we shouldnt feel quite as desperate as u make it seem. Hossa has a couple more years left of playing a top 6 role as long as he's managed properly. Sharp is still gonna be an elite quality top 6 winger for at least another 2 years. Kane and Toews are only now entering their primes. Keith and Seabs will be elite for at least 2-3 more years based on their ages. And then u look at all the role players like Saad, Shaw, Kruger, Bickell, Hammer, Leddy, etc....all relatively young. My point is we shouldnt feel yet like we're at the point where we have one last chance for one final cup run and thats it. Things might only be getting started around here....
- SimpleJack

Correct.

And trading away a prospect who has never seen NHL ice and an underachieving defensemen that you could easily replace for an elite #2center makes all the sense in the World to help you win Cups now, and in the future.

If Kane doesn't want to resign. Ship his ass to the worst team in the league at the deadline next season.
- Elbows15

No need to be vindictive! Ship him him for the best return and hopefully that is in Buffalo ... who are the worst team in the league!

No (frank)ing way. Let's see. We don't get Kesler for a repeat run, only for the following two seasons until he goes UFA. We lose Leddy, TT AND SHAW (???!!!), PLUS we have to dump Oduya to make cap room? That is not only one-sided, but deprives us of 2 centers to acquire one, halves our second and third pairings, AND leaves us STILL stuck with worthless (frank)ing Bickell.

Bowman would have to be nursing on a crack-mama's titty to accept such a deal, and Rocky should forbid it.

That would take a leap of faith to move Runblad into a top 4 position with Hjalmarsson. Keeps a pair so Swedes on the second pairing, but Pizza man would be missed. Makes the bottom pairings any of the following: Johns/Dahlbeck/Roszival (if he does not retire this summer).

That is a colossal amount of inexperience at the bottom 3 defensemen level.

Think Brookbank, Handzus, and Roszival all leave this summer via FA or retirement

Using the Leddy, TT, and Shaw proposal it makes the team look like this IMO:

Sharp-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Kesler-Kane
Bickell-Kruger-Versteeg
Bollig-Regin/Nordstrom-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-Rundblad
Johns-Dahlbeck

Leaves the offseason shopping list as:

-#3/4 center (Malhotra type)

-probably 2 #6/7 depth defensemen so Johns plays in Rockford and Dahlbeck rotates in and out of the #6 defenseman role.

- Backup goalie (unless Raanta can be resigned

- Rockford depth (similar to the Winchester signing from last offseason)

Leddy has the $2.7 mil cap hit next year, Shaw has a $2 mil cap hit, and TT has a $925k which is $5.625 mil heading to Vancouver, and Kesler's $5 mil cap space coming back barring any other players coming back with Kesler
- ikeane

Rosy under contract for one more year

There's ZERO guarantee that TT will be remotely close to the NHL player Kesler already IS.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I fully agree. But i just dont think its worth the gamble based on the fact that this years team might very well win the Cup WITHOUT Kesler....Again, remind me how we've done in recent Cup runs without a legit 2C?

TueGrit will be happy to know that TT will be 'showcased'. His favorite word

No need to be vindictive! Ship him him for the best return and hopefully that is in Buffalo ... who are the worst team in the league!
- paulr

Its not vindictive. I am looking for the number 1 pick or top 3 at worst. McDavid or Eichels. Will take either one. Plus their best player, top 2 prospects and the next year's number 1.

Rosy under contract for one more year
- fattybeef

I know, that is why I am wondering if he retires with his injury problems and lack of durability this year. $2.2 mil for a part time defenseman. Trading Leddy and Oduya subtracts the depth that allows Roszival to play about half the games he would have to otherwise