I don't really want him either, unless he comes really cheap. I also don't want to rely on Sharp or Shaw at 2C.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree Kesler will be to expensive for what he brings. If you don't want to send a good prospect and a first, there is your option.

Plekanec and 2014 1st for Sharp and Leddy.

Nobody is forgetting that he has a NTC. Ask Brian Campbell about his NTC...nobody wants to stay where they're not wanted.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's why I never understood why fans are always scared off by NTC. If a team approaches you and asks you to waive it why wouldn't you do it versus stay somewhere you aren't wanted.

If you look at the centers in western conference teams like Kings, Sharks, Ducks, Blues etc. all have big centers (at least one). I think Kesler should be Hawks number one target. Plekanec is good but don´t know if 5´10 sized skill player is the ultimate need? Or maybe then you could add size in wing.. Any chance to get Brayden Schenn from Flyers or Martin Hanzal from Coyotes?

But the way Stan and his crew has operated makes you think that they drop from Kesler sweeps as soon as bidding war starts. I´m not holding my breath for big trades but Stan is forced to make some room not later than next summer. And I don´t think we are going to see any major deals before Toews and Kane have signed their extensions.

Giordano isn't going anywhere. He is the perfect veteran for a team in a rebuild. The only way the Flames move him is if they get a haul. And that haul would have to include top 10 draft picks.
Hayes was a joke.
- Elbows15

You do realize that the Hayes brother in question is Kevin, the presently unsigned prospect whom worked well with Hobey Baker winner, Gadreau. Gadreau signed with Calgary. The diminutive Gadreau will get a golden opportunity with the Flames. Meanwhile, Hayes projection as starting in the #2 center slot in Chg is a reach. Not this upcoming season anyway SHOULD he put his John Hancock on a Blackhawk contract.

If you look at the centers in western conference teams like Kings, Sharks, Ducks, Blues etc. all have big centers (at least one). I think Kesler should be Hawks number one target. Plekanec is good but don´t know if 5´10 sized skill player is the ultimate need? Or maybe then you could add size in wing.. Any chance to get Brayden Schenn from Flyers or Martin Hanzal from Coyotes?

But the way Stan and his crew has operated makes you think that they drop from Kesler sweeps as soon as bidding war starts. I´m not holding my breath for big trades but Stan is forced to make some room not later than next summer. And I don´t think we are going to see any major deals before Toews and Kane have signed their extensions.
- MjulQvist

This would probably be the most likely outcome amidst the many scenarios painted on this board.

Edit: additional comments: 1). How is B Schenn skating? Seem to recall a comment that it isn't the best. I have barely seen much of him and do not recall his Entry Draft scouting report regarding his skating. However, if any player movement between teams maybe they like Leddy. 2). Hanzal leaving is as likely as Giordano changing teams. Hanzal would be an upgrade over Zus but would score more! Ha! Maybe Hanzal will have a career or break out season. If he can stay off the disabled list.

Shaw's FO% was at something like 43% this season. That's nowhere near good enough to center a 2nd line all season.
- Hawks82

Kruger was a disaster, too, before Perrault (presumably) got to him.

The odds are what that the major announcement at the Blackhawks annual July fest is none other than Pat Foley's broadcaster HOF award. So hopefully then a grateful Foley accepts the recognition while not a wee bit drunk.

Not NHL ready. Skating is not good enough? Bowman would not rush a prospect..

Other:Giordano I believe is their captain and an important piece that the new GM would least likely trade. But being up in Canada maybe Rick has some additional thoughts which I have no clue whether Giodano could be moved.

And the post who said Kesler is not worth three assets......I concur
- jhawk59

I just said I really liked Giordano and would move a couple of players like Leddy/Oduya to get him. Other than that, I only know:

1) The Flames have little or nothing in their farm system so they would likely consider very good young prospects in return (and it would take more than one).

2) Brian Burke is an idiot.

3) In the Pacific Division they are probably 3-4 years from making the playoffs, what good is keeping Giordano if a good trade proposal for young players/draft picks is presented to them.

The odds are what that the major announcement at the Blackhawks annual July fest is none other than Pat Foley's broadcaster HOF award. So hopefully then a grateful Foley accepts the recognition while not a wee bit drunk.
- jhawk59

That won't be the only announcement. You can expect the news to break about the Toews and Kane extensions at that time too.

That won't be the only announcement. You can expect the news to break about the Toews, Kane and Mashinter extensions at that time too.
- EKolb13

Fixed

Fixed
- HawkintheD

Mashinter already received his extension...

I just said I really liked Giordano and would move a couple of players like Leddy/Oduya to get him. Other than that, I only know:

1) The Flames have little or nothing in their farm system so they would likely consider very good young prospects in return (and it would take more than one).

2) Brian Burke is an idiot.

3) In the Pacific Division they are probably 3-4 years from making the playoffs, what good is keeping Giordano if a good trade proposal for young players/draft picks is presented to them.
- RickJ

Brian Burke is the greatest mind in hockey, just ask him.

Brian Burke is the greatest mind in hockey, just ask him.
- paulr

This just in. After Burke relinquished his GM duty, the new GM immediately quashed the rumor that Calgary was pursuing Mashinter.

No? Ha, but I was expecting Hayes to sign with them. Now I wonder whom Hayes will sign with.

At what point does someone in management ask Sharp which he prefers, playing 2C here or playing anything somewhere else? I'm surprised they didn't do that a year or two ago.
- 6628

I just think his game is on the flank not up the middle. Other issue is Kane (and Q for Kane) prefers a Lefty C.

I just think his game is on the flank not up the middle. Other issue is Kane (and Q for Kane) prefers a Lefty C.
- John Jaeckel

Isn't Kesler a righty?

Really excited about one offer from Vancouver fans...

Saad/TT/First

for Kesler


Is marijuana legal in Vancouver?

I wouldn't give up Saad for Kesler straight up.

This is something that hardly anyone wants to talk about. He shows up in big games, and he has dazzled the pants off goalies in shoot-outs (which don't mean anything in the playoffs.) But I keep asking myself this--where was he in the Finals games 2, 3, 4? He wasn't winning board battles, forechecking or backchecking, that's for sure. And he wasn't scoring the big goals either.

Sharp is taking some backlash for not showing up in the playoffs--deservedly so. But why is it that we forgive Kane because he turns it on at the right time? Is that really a "team-first" attitude? Why isn't he playing at that level all the time? And what if they do get Kesler? By all accounts, he's got a similar attitude. Do we need this?

You may commence the beat down now.
- fourfeathers

Pinned in his own zone dragging an out of gas Zeus and disinterested Sharp around.

Amazing how he exploded when paired with guys who went to the net, created space and won board battles.

Give him a center and Saad on the other side and I am very confident he puts +100 points up and is probably the MVP.

starting at 2C next season and wearing #12 will be





























Kevin Hayes. You saw it here first.
- Elbows15

That is the most sensible from a fiscal standpoint, and would allow our core to stay intact. Otherwise you need to lose at least one of Sharp, Leddy, Oduya, etc. to fit any other option via trade or UFA (which is a very weak year for C)

Isn't Kesler a righty?
- resqmed99

Yes he is

Ok. Hypothetical for you. You dump Sharp. You add Kessler to play with Kane. Kane gets his big $$ deal, and still has a 30 goal year. What then?

Caveat: I think Kane has amazing hands. But I don't think he's the second coming or anything--I'd rather have a guy who shows up every day than one who only thinks of himself unless it's a "showtime" kind of game.
- fourfeathers

That is a pretty silly statement.

Really excited about one offer from Vancouver fans...

Saad/TT/First

for Kesler


Is marijuana legal in Vancouver?

I wouldn't give up Saad for Kesler straight up.
- kwolf68

It's practically legal...we have vending machines that dispense it (I'm not kidding).

Canucks fans want Saad, but the smart ones know they have no chance of getting him.

Speaking of Saad, Tampa just signed Palat to a 3 year $10 million contract. The price to re-sign Saad, even on a bridge contract, will be at least the same. Stan should sign Saad as soon as Kane and Toews' extensions are done.

It's practically legal...we have vending machines that dispense it (I'm not kidding).

Canucks fans want Saad, but the smart ones know they have no chance of getting him.

Speaking of Saad, Tampa just signed Palat to a 3 year $10 million contract. The price to re-sign Saad, even on a bridge contract, will be at least the same. Stan should sign Saad as soon as Kane and Toews' extensions are done.
- DarthKane

Agree and it goes to my argument that Saad has now become part of the core...obviously core guys are well paid, thus, a core guy should be moved.

I am still for adding a L2-C and moving Sharp, but am much less interested in Kesler.

Agree and it goes to my argument that Saad has now become part of the core...obviously core guys are well paid, thus, a core guy should be moved.

I am still for adding a L2-C and moving Sharp, but am much less interested in Kesler.
- kwolf68

After Kane, Toews and Hossa I think Saad is the most important forward. For the long term I would much rather have Saad over Sharp. I think Saad's emergence into the top 6 has made Sharp expendable if one of the core needs to be dealt to create cap space.

Really excited about one offer from Vancouver fans...

Saad/TT/First

for Kesler


Is marijuana legal in Vancouver?

I wouldn't give up Saad for Kesler straight up.
- kwolf68

It is

It is
- VANTEL

That explains it.