Not for me....Seabrook is just entering his prime.
- Al

I think he is regressing, by a lot, to the point where Hammer has definitely surpassed him playing on his off side and Seabs is one concussion away from getting Prongered (though i suppose every player is one away but he has a history)

Why do you think the Hawks would do that deal?

I'm not saying they won't, I'm just curious as to why you think it works for the Hawks, giving up their leading goal scorer. Plekanec didn't do much in the playoffs. I doubt very much he would stand up to the rigors of Western Conference action over a full season and playoffs.
- RickJ

@5 million over 2 years Kesler is probably a better option...

How about a productive (not star, not Kessler/Spezza/etc., but along the lines of Nielsen) skater in return for prospects, draft picks, etc. - which requires cap space to complete? I probably mispoke (mis-wrote?) about the scoring goals issue, I'll admit that, although there possibly could be deals for that too - Hawks gave up 3 twenty-goal scorers for basically picks, prospects, cap space back in 2010 - maybe there will be a team desperate for cap space this summer, if the Hawks had any to give.

And your reasoning for saying "other than Gaborik because they have to resign him" makes no sense: they are on the verge of winning the Cup with him as an important producer - the only Cup they can win this year - I think they're ok with the deal even if they lose him next year.

As I have said several times, I agree with you about Shaw - very good and useful third line winger - dont wanting Bowman to overpay for a Kesler or Spezza either.
- StLBravesFan

Interestingly, I'd be OK with a one year 'rental' of Spezza but would never re-sign him long term. Just depends on what it would take in assets to acquire him. A Kesler deal just isn't happening for Chicago.

There are other lesser light players out there who might fit worth a flyer on and probably wouldn't cost much given their age or recent past performance. Josh Bailey, Thomas Fleichmann and maybe a few others.

But realistically, I think Brandon Saad is the guy the Hawks can turn into a very good center. It would take some time, but he has the toolbox to do it IMO.

But even if cheap to acquire, Bowman still has to fit them under the cap.

I think he is regressing, by a lot, to the point where Hammer has definitely surpassed him playing on his off side and Seabs is one concussion away from getting Prongered (though i suppose every player is one away but he has a history)
- fattybeef

Whom would be more brittle and have a shorter career between Seabrook and Kesler?

I would argue that the sort of dman Seabrook is will always be more valued than most centers. Seabrook is a competent all purpose dman, although he does have some things he does better than others. But he has size to go along with
his skill package. Dmen with experience, size, and the game Seabrook offers is worth more than a Kesler

If the Hawks did move a Dman...

we can hope for Johns as Fatty mentions, but what about Stralman with the Rags...couple of really nice hip checks the other night against the Kings. And the stick saving play at the goal line. And he's a Swede. In line for a big payday?Thoughts...?

The draft is two weeks from today.

I think he is regressing, by a lot, to the point where Hammer has definitely surpassed him playing on his off side and Seabs is one concussion away from getting Prongered (though i suppose every player is one away but he has a history)
- fattybeef

Whom would be more brittle and have a shorter career between Seabrook and Kesler?

I would argue that the sort of dman Seabrook is will always be more valued than most centers. Seabrook is a competent all purpose dman, although he does have some things he does better than others. But he has size to go along with
his skill package. Dmen with experience, size, and the game Seabrook offers is worth more than a Kesler
- jhawk59

It is the whole returns thing. Why trade sharp now?

Coming off career year and another scenario with cap awfulness is upon the Hawks. Teams that think they can get into the playoffs in the east will come off some goodies in the form of futures or young players with upside. May as well cash in. Winter is coming yo.

I don't think they need to trade Seabrook but deal is done in two years.

5.8 is going to certainly turn into 8 something. Lotta monies to drop there and they can get a massive return now or maybe even next year though now would be less desperate. If he continues to be brain farty and leave guys alone on the back stick I don't think that salary is justified and should be someone else's problem. Not the 5.8 but the 8 that would be perceived market value. Or an 8 year 60 million dollar deal for a guy north of 30. Barf. One defender in Keith tied up until the end of his career is enough IMO.

If the goal is to win next year than they should probably keep him and move Oduya and hope he can step up playing with Leddy. If the goal is to pretend to compete for a Cup next year but really break in younger players or allow acquisitions to adjust to the system than I would argue against retaining that contract.

Am I the only one who finds it odd that there is zero NHL coverage in the June issue of "ESPN The Magazine" during the Stanley Cup Finals? Tennis, WNBA and NBA draft preview but no hockey.

On the business side, I guess it doesn't make sense for them to promote a sport for which they don't have the TV contract.

Oh well - still disappointing that they don't even try.

Interestingly, I'd be OK with a one year 'rental' of Spezza but would never re-sign him long term. Just depends on what it would take in assets to acquire him. A Kesler deal just isn't happening for Chicago.

There are other lesser light players out there who might fit worth a flyer on and probably wouldn't cost much given their age or recent past performance. Josh Bailey, Thomas Fleichmann and maybe a few others.

But realistically, I think Brandon Saad is the guy the Hawks can turn into a very good center. It would take some time, but he has the toolbox to do it IMO.

But even if cheap to acquire, Bowman still has to fit them under the cap.
- RickJ

Chicago gets: Neilsen, Bailey, 5th overall, Scotty Mayfield

New York gets: Sharp, Seabrook (Isles eat 50% Bailey's salary)

Chicago gets: Neilsen, Bailey, 5th overall, Scotty Mayfield

New York gets: Sharp, Seabrook (Isles eat 50% Bailey's salary)
- bjpgallagher

Swap Seabrook with Leddy.

Chicago gets: Neilsen, Bailey, 5th overall, Scotty Mayfield

New York gets: Sharp, Seabrook (Isles eat 50% Bailey's salary)
- bjpgallagher

Yea, no way

thats also a whole lot of leadership going out the door, on top of premium performers.

This is really sharps first bad postseason and Seabrook just comes up with clutch goals when you need him most.

@5 million over 2 years Kesler is probably a better option...
- fattybeef

Off course i would take Kessler over Plekanec but Plekanec is much cheaper in terms of return.

For Kessler, you would have to add to Sharp. For Plekanec, Habs would have to add. Thats just a matter of cost. And i heard the Hawks are probably already out of the Kessler sweepstakes so.

Am I the only one who finds it odd that there is zero NHL coverage in the June issue of "ESPN The Magazine" during the Stanley Cup Finals? Tennis, WNBA and NBA draft preview but no hockey.

On the business side, I guess it doesn't make sense for them to promote a sport for which they don't have the TV contract.

Oh well - still disappointing that they don't even try.
- bwarner929

It's still one of the major sports and they are the total sports network...but yet
now they pretend it doesn't exist. The only network that was worse was Fox (with their tracking puck garbage). Don't know if you remember when basic cable was starting out here in the late 70's early 80s - USA network use to cover hockey - Al Trautwig with Engblom on the call.

NOT SURE . I think if Sharp is traded for a 2C the Hawks can do just a little bit better . TP is only 48% at the dot .
- mrpaulish

There are not many better 2C than Plekanec in the league.

It's still one of the major sports and they are the total sports network...but yet now they pretend it doesn't exist. The only network that was worse was Fox (with their tracking puck garbage).
- DK002

Yeah, that streaking puck was a trip. Don't try to watch that when drunk - it would mess you up!

As they say on Chicago sports radio, it's the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network so if the east coast doesn't care, they don't either. But with NHL HQ in NYC, you'd think someone would be working that angle.

Nobody ever accused the NHL of being marketing geniuses (although they have had a pretty good run with the Winter Classic and Stadium Series) - let's get McD on that!

Swap Seabrook with Leddy.
- DarthKane

Not sure if the Isles would give up that much for Leddy. It would be interesting as to who the Hawks would look at in free agency if that deal ever went down. You have your second line center in Neilsen, now what...

My attempt at proposals with Ottawa:

Hawks Get:
Spezza
Smith
Greening

Sens get:
Sharp
Leddy/Oduya
1st round pick

or

Hawks get:
Zibanejad
Smith
Greening

Sens get:
Sharp
Leddy/Oduya
1st round pick
TT

Second one seems to be a significant price to pay, but that is to get a young Swedish center that can fly, and 2 great pieces for the bottom 6.

Thoughts?

There are not many better 2C than Plekanec in the league.
- soad_live

So why are you tripping all over yourself to get him out of Montreal?

So why are you tripping all over yourself to get him out of Montreal?
- paulr

Because we have one stud waiting to get his spot right now and needs a good winger with experience to play with him.

Remember the Vancouver series in 10 I think it was when they pounded us out of the playoffs by hitting the ever loving poop out of of..... bollig stays...hes the best enforcer we've had in a long time...bicks shaw. And a z Smith should provide all the hitting we should need as a possession team...no gooning required....just a lil grit
- southernhawk

Give me a break. Vancouver didn't beat the Hawks in 2011 because they outhit the Hawks. They beat the Hawks because they were the best team in the NHL that year by a mile (until game 7 of the Cup finals) and the Hawks were basically consisted of their core guys and a bunch of guys that were either AHL players or at the end of their career.

The whole Hawks are soft argument is so dumb. This "soft team" has won two Cups in 5 years and were a bad bounce away from probably winning their 3rd Cup this year.

I know we're all getting caught up in acquiring a second line centre and the more we dive into that the bigger the overall changes become. While none of us have eh actual answer it sure if fun trying to figure it out.

I'm going to take walk on the brighter side of the situation and say only minor tweaks are needed. I'm not opposed to other big moves, but I don't expect that to happen. Nor do I think my suggestion is the only way to go. For now I'm just focusing on the forwards, we'll saving the defense for another day.

First, let's take a look at what we have and I will go out on a limb and assume that whatever ailed Bickell and Versteeg is gone.

Bickell - Toews - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Kane
Sharp - ??? - Versteeg
??? - Kruger - Smith
Bollig, Morin

So the way I look at it we need a top notch 3C and 4W. Bollig was good on the 4th line, but Stan can do better. There are options for the 3C spot, acquire a 3C outright or acquire a 2C or 4C and shuffle Shaw or Kruger up or down. Either way, if Stan can fill these 2 voids to give us the quality of depth we had in 2013 we're in a good position.

Before people complain and having a $5.9 million on the 3rd line remember that Q will be rolling 4 lines and Sharp will still get around 17 minutes per game. Plus, Saad and Shaw are low cost options on the 2nd line so it all balances out.

What assets does Stan have to fill those two voids? There's a combination of draft picks, Leddy, Oduya, Morin and prospects. Or he can see what's available on the UFA market. Either way it's quite obtainable.

While we'd all love to see a high profile 2C added to the mix, it's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen.

Give me a break. Vancouver didn't beat the Hawks in 2011 because they outhit the Hawks. They beat the Hawks because they were the best team in the NHL that year by a mile (until game 7 of the Cup finals) and the Hawks were basically consisted of their core guys and a bunch of guys that were either AHL players or at the end of their career.

The whole Hawks are soft argument is so dumb. This "soft team" has won two Cups in 5 years and were a bad bounce away from probably winning their 3rd Cup this year.
- dan9189

I don't think they are soft...BUT...I will argue that they need some bigger guys to pressure the opposing D men on the forecheck. Guys who can actually skate and make an impact. Not pound the hell out of the corner glass like Bolig did all series long. Name me one impactful hit Bolig made all playoffs. I can.....and he got suspended for it. That's it.

if you can't possess the puck, then you sure as hell better be able to forecheck and retrieve it and the Hawks didn't have the right mix of players to be able to do both. That's why they lost.

I know we're all getting caught up in acquiring a second line centre and the more we dive into that the bigger the overall changes become. While none of us have eh actual answer it sure if fun trying to figure it out.

I'm going to take walk on the brighter side of the situation and say only minor tweaks are needed. I'm not opposed to other big moves, but I don't expect that to happen. Nor do I think my suggestion is the only way to go. For now I'm just focusing on the forwards, we'll saving the defense for another day.

First, let's take a look at what we have and I will go out on a limb and assume that whatever ailed Bickell and Versteeg is gone.

Bickell - Toews - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Kane
Sharp - ??? - Versteeg
??? - Kruger - Smith
Bollig, Morin

So the way I look at it we need a top notch 3C and 4W. Bollig was good on the 4th line, but Stan can do better. There are options for the 3C spot, acquire a 3C outright or acquire a 2C or 4C and shuffle Shaw or Kruger up or down. Either way, if Stan can fill these 2 voids to give us the quality of depth we had in 2013 we're in a good position.

Before people complain and having a $5.9 million on the 3rd line remember that Q will be rolling 4 lines and Sharp will still get around 17 minutes per game. Plus, Saad and Shaw are low cost options on the 2nd line so it all balances out.

What assets does Stan have to fill those two voids? There's a combination of draft picks, Leddy, Oduya, Morin and prospects. Or he can see what's available on the UFA market. Either way it's quite obtainable.

While we'd all love to see a high profile 2C added to the mix, it's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen.
- DarthKane

Yeah, I addressed this scenario yesterday. You could do it but you only have 4 million to resign Smith, Raanta, and Morin. Assuming nobody goes.

You could plug Smith at 3C. I think Shaw is a wing in the NHL, just my opinion. I think Smith would be a better fit up there with Kane and Saad. Smith can work and win one on one battles down low to come out of the corner or behind the net a lot more then Shaw can.

Bolig and Kruger will dress everynight....and I guess you hope for a few things:

1. R&R...guys rest up and come back healthy enough to make an impact ALL SEASON long.

2. If Morin/Nordstrom don't pan out, you figure out a way to add a large bodied banger, who can skate for the playoffs.

I would love to see them switch out Rozsival for a veteran guy who can play the point on the PP/ Special teams have hurt this team recently and can't be ignored.

As much as I think the Hawks will make a trade, I can EASILY see this scenario and if Bowman goes that route....then it's on him 100% and if this team bows out he has to be held accountable.

Or Johns turns into a bad ass.

Doughty, Greene, Martinez, Mitchell, Muzzin and Voynov is not that great but the system works.

Who the heck are Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton... Oh first and second year players? Really? On defensive stalwart Boston? Hmmmmm.

Minnesota has Suter and well and what exactly...

STL has a stacked Blue line but can't score goals and scoring goals is kind of important

NYR has McDonagh, Girardi and Staal and a group of forwards that look slow and old which is really helping them out against LA...

Keith, Hammer, Seabrook, Oduya, Leddy, and even Rozy and Brookbank is really a situation that this team can't afford and looking at other successful teams isn't necessary for success.
- fattybeef

Or Johns turns into a bad ass.

Doughty, Greene, Martinez, Mitchell, Muzzin and Voynov is not that great but the system works.

Johns could win multiple Norris trophy's but comparing him to Seabrook in any fashion today is a crap shoot...

The way I see it is with Regehr the Kings defense is almost as good as the Hawks ...If I were grading on every aspect the Kings would be 2nd in the NHL.

The difference this year is Muzzin, Voynoz and Martinez are older and wiser...that takes time.

If the only news we as Hawks fans get between now and July 3rd is:

1. Smith/Raanta/Morin resigning
2. Toews/Kane being extending

I will pop a blood vessel. I can see it happening, but I won't be receptive to it. That can't happen. The illusion of "one lucky bounce" away from a cup is there, but you also had 2 series previously where you were badly outplayed and your goalie stole at least one of them, if not both. You also finished 3rd in the division with this same group....

How does the insanity definition go?