Can NOT afford to move him. Gus is certainly a keeper. I honestly can't believe how good he is playing at this level.
- kwolf68

Yep, he is one of those two key moves the Hawks made that led to the 12 game winning streak. He's not "infallible" just yet, but his move into the top 4 has meant that TVR is anchoring a SOLID third pairing and suddenly our defence is much improved.

Carnac the Great says: Philip Danault

Just a wild guess and I know Bergy likes him.
- John Jaeckel

Count me out on trading Danault to the Habs

I have read conflicting things about this. Some articles I've read say that the cap cannot go down and at worst would stay the same? and then in other places I'm seeing that going down from the current cap is a possibility. Anyone know the answer?
- maria_wyeth

as far as i know, the cap is essentially based on prior year hockey revenue, so conceivably, it can go down.

And this just in...


Bergevin has just contacted the Hawks regarding a specific player. Looking to add talent/youth and give up proven veteran ability.

Things are white hot around the league.
- MexicoHawk

I'm sure with Price on the shelf they would LOVE to have CC there.

Maybe the Leafs can workout a deal to get rid of Lupul.

Leafs:
Bickell + drafts pick + (insert prospect)

Chicago:
Lupul (Leafs retain salary?) + Percy

Leafs get a prospect / pick for an overpaid Band-Aid
Chicago gets a defensive prospect in Percy

It makes some sense. I love Danault, but he is slightly redundant when Kruger comes back.
- DirkGraham

Personally, I would NOT move Danault. The kid possesses intangibles that are needed to win Championships. He's a leader and a winner...100% committed to winning. Plus, he appears to be even faster after his hip surgery. No go on Danault from me.

Carnac the Great says: Philip Danault

Just a wild guess and I know Bergy likes him.
- John Jaeckel

They can tell Bergy to:

Mex you said if the Hawks part with Dano then they'll get Drouin. Is TB still wanting more +Dano or are the Hawks just holding off and exploring all options before they make a move?

I'm sure with Price on the shelf they would LOVE to have CC there.
- powerenforcer

Not the player and that's simply not going to happen now. CC has settled into a Vezina/MVP type season. Bowman will find a way to keep Corey for the duration of his deal. He's finally become the "flat-liner" that Q wanted him to be.

Mex you said if the Hawks part with Dano then they'll get Drouin. Is TB still wanting more +Dano or are the Hawks just holding off and exploring all options before they make a move?
- SimpleJack

I'm not sure, but at this point how could Stevie Y not make that deal. He just wants "provable young talent" for provable young talent. RW for a LW IMO.

Not the player and that's simply not going to happen now. CC has settled into a Vezina/MVP type season. Bowman will find a way to keep Corey for the duration of his deal. He's finally become the "flat-liner" that Q wanted him to be.
- MexicoHawk

I wasn't advocating that, but from a MTL viewpoint why wouldn't they ask?

Count me in on any Staal Deal
- Colbyboy

Meaning any of the Staal brothers, or just one you have in mind? Haha

It makes some sense. I love Danault, but he is slightly redundant when Kruger comes back.
- DirkGraham

Bergy might be asking about Kruger too, never know. I recall being at Prospect Camp in 2009 with Wiz and seeing Bergy, Steve Smith and Scotty all smiling and nodding at each other at some of the smart little splays Kruger was making—while all the fans were looking for Kyle Beach.

Personally, I would NOT move Danault. The kid possesses intangibles that are needed to win Championships. He's a leader and a winner...100% committed to winning. Plus, he appears to be even faster after his hip surgery. No go on Danault from me.
- MexicoHawk

Agreed.

Personally, I would NOT move Danault. The kid possesses intangibles that are needed to win Championships. He's a leader and a winner...100% committed to winning. Plus, he appears to be even faster after his hip surgery. No go on Danault from me.
- MexicoHawk

Fair enough Mex. For me, whenever I say something makes sense, I mean that if you can get back a player's value, in a spot where you need it more, then it's something to consider. The qualifier is always whether or not you can get value for value when considering trading present or future asset. I agree that Danault is an asset. That is all.

They see the "issue" the Hawks have right now. The Hawks are in REPEAT mode, and can't wait around for Dano to "figure it all out" as a top 6 LW. That's why Dano is in Rockford, because there is a GLUT of RWs in CHI and they are "teaching" him to become a LW, not just another NHL player getting 8 shifts a game on the 4th line. There are plenty of GMs who were extremely impressed by Dano in CLB last season, and are prepared to let him role on the right side, right now.

Let me repeat...the Hawks don't dislike or doubt Dano, its just in their eyes there's nowhere to "put" him right now on the big club.
- MexicoHawk

Thanks. Would be sorry to see a future core piece traded away, but I know I'll be smiling and cheering just as loudly if they raise another cup because it happened.

as far as i know, the cap is soley based on prior year hockey revenue, so conceivably, it can go down.
- Tumbleweed

It could, especially when you consider the factor of the 5% cap inflater which I believe the NHL and NHLPA both have to agree on yearly. I believe it has been applied most, if not all of the years under the cap so far, but not guaranteed.

I'm not sure, but at this point how could Stevie Y not make that deal. He just wants "provable young talent" for provable young talent. RW for a LW IMO.
- MexicoHawk

I still think he'd prefer a good young d-man (preferably one Cooper can plug in this year) to a good young W. But I suspect he will go with best available at some point.

Agreed.
- John Jaeckel

+1.

Also, I have a feeling if Bowman tries to move a forward in Rockford at the trade deadline, it might be Ross. His production is down this season, and has been skating on the 3rd line as of late.

They recognize his talent and that he's 20 years old. In some ways, all the success he had down the stretch in Columbus last year may have overbuilt expectations, and mine included.

He has some valuable traits you want in an NHL forward: strength and skill and a GREAT shot. His hands are MUCH better than most fans in Chicago realize, he can dish and guard the puck extremely well. He is not the playmaker or versatile, high hockey sense player TT is, but he will be, in a couple of important ways harder to play against because of his strength and hands combined. A lot of the game is played down low and along the wall and he can be VERY good there. He also shoots the puck slightly better than TT, which is saying a lot. But he does.

He needed to work on his defensive play and the Hawks decided the left side was abetter spot for him. Why? I'm not sure. I have heard it's because they recognized an organizational need on the port side but I suspect there is more to that story than just that. Dunno.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks - as always, get an education from you and the others on this board. As I said above to Mex, I'll definitely be thrilled if a trade involving Dano ultimately leads this team to another SC. Have just always liked the kid and think he fits well with this team (locker room wise) and eventually would skill wise, so hate to lose him.

For me, I'd be happier with a center with a good face off percentage instead of a LW, they were brutal at the dot vs the Avs minus the captain and I imagine come playoff time that's where they are really going to struggle

*cough* Pacioretty *cough*

It makes some sense. I love Danault, but he is slightly redundant when Kruger comes back.
- DirkGraham

Danault may be considered redundant with Kruger now. However wrist injuries are not that predictable. Strong wrists are so important in hockey, especially for faceoff men. Also Danault could be a #2c center in this league down the road with scoring potential. I never see Kruger being more than a #3c center with limited offensive potential (scoring or assisting( and PK specialist.

For me, I'd be happier with a center with a good face off percentage instead of a LW, they were brutal at the dot vs the Avs minus the captain and I imagine come playoff time that's where they are really going to struggle
- BetweenTheDots

Well they are probably going to add said center around 4/1

+1.

Also, I have a feeling if Bowman tries to move a forward in Rockford at the trade deadline, it might be Ross. His production is down this season, and has been skating on the 3rd line as of late.
- EKB13

+2, he's a keeper