If we go down the rumor path, its been rumored to be Svedberg and McNeill.

I guess for me, they both have kind of stopped being "prospects"
- vabeachbear

That sounds like the Oil would be better off with a 3rd rounder?

How many of those have they had over the last decade? Like they need another one.
- EKB13

They can't develop them. That's why I think Yak (once outside that EDM atmosphere) will play better.

How many first round picks have been casualties of the Oiler coaching/organization and not been developed?

All these guys can't be busts. There has to be something else going on. That's what I think.

A deal for Yakupov, like all players of his ilk, depends on the deal. I am ok with his acquisition provided the cost is reasonable. If EDM retains $1.5 mil in salary and it only costs AHL'ers and possibly draft picks I would take a chance. I would be ok with losing McNeil? Svedberg? Pokka? Tootoo? Mashinter? Carruth? Kero? Abbott? Fournier?

Could the Hawk's share of Scuderi's cap hit be included in any deal?

This was all about some Chicago not in the know "sports writer" suddenly getting old news about talks both teams GMS had a the World Cup.

He re-washed it as new NEWS.


I researched the writer and, no, he has no Chicago connection. In fact, he has an Edmonton connection and appears to be someone who knows the right people. I wouldn't dismiss this as easily as the above quote does.

I do not like this idea, you will make Yak Great Again and it will suck in the central

Hartman looks to have the right mix,with compete level, and yes yak IMHO would flurish with that line and quinville system!but the Bobby mac comment wow!lol
- MR.Hunter

I know he is revered as a kind of God in Canada, and certainly he is good at a lot of things he he does, but the guy is not infallible.

Same guy who recently called Viktor Svedberg a candidate for the Hawks top 4, and once called Cam Barker a top 4 defender in Chicago. So, uhhh, no, not infallible.

And yes, believe it or not, GMs and front office types OFTEN share things with writers and broadcasters that they WANT out there, even if it doesn't really reflect how they're feeling or what's actually going on.

And no, finally, not all trade activities are vetted first through Bob Mckenzie by GMs.

A deal for Yakupov, like all players of his ilk, depends on the deal. I am ok with his acquisition provided the cost is reasonable. If EDM retains $1.5 mil in salary and it only costs AHL'ers and possibly draft picks I would take a chance. I would be ok with losing McNeil? Svedberg? Pokka? Tootoo? Mashinter? Carruth? Kero? Abbott? Fournier?

Could the Hawk's share of Scuderi's cap hit be included in any deal?
- -Doh-

The Oilers cannot retain more than 50% of his salary.

Have met and talked with Yak many times when he was in Sarnia .Would sit around the pool and Sauna at the HOLLIDAY INN with him and Galchenyuk .They were very close ,would not surprise me if Montreal would not be in on that deal . Yak had not yet been Drafted so I would tell him to go to Chicago ,he said his Sister lived there .So there is that .

But again for the HAWKS it comes down to money ,and that is the crux for many teams in this Flat cap ERA .

A deal for Yakupov, like all players of his ilk, depends on the deal. I am ok with his acquisition provided the cost is reasonable. If EDM retains $1.5 mil in salary and it only costs AHL'ers and possibly draft picks I would take a chance. I would be ok with losing McNeil? Svedberg? Pokka? Tootoo? Mashinter? Carruth? Kero? Abbott? Fournier?

Could the Hawk's share of Scuderi's cap hit be included in any deal?
- -Doh-

No. We are stuck with that.

I'm good with a Pokka (because the Oil needs defense), McNeil and some retained salary by EDM for Yak.

I don't want to see Hartman moved. I think his style of play is very valuable in a changing NHL where the focus is speed/finesse and skill. Hartman types are willing to take a beating in front of the net, go into the tough spots and will scrap and stick up for teammates. That's something that's really missing on the Hawks roster.

Hawks have plenty of pretty faces, we need an ugly guy or two to do the grunt work--something that I think Hartman is capable of.

The Oilers cannot retain more than 50% of his salary.
- 67hawks

So they can retain $1.25mil.

I'm good with a Pokka (because the Oil needs defense), McNeil and some retained salary by EDM deal for Yak.

I don't want to see Hartman moved. I think his style of play is very valuable in a changing NHL where the focus is speed/finesse and skill. Hartman types are willing to take a beating in front of the net, go into the tough spots and will scrap and stick up for teammates. That's something that's really missing on the Hawks roster.

Hawks have plenty of pretty faces, we need an ugly guy or two to do the grunt work--something that I think Hartman is capable of.

The Oilers cannot retain more than 50% of his salary.
- 67hawks

So they can retain $1.25mil.

JJ you seem to have a problem with Bob Mckenzie care to elaborate?

JJ you seem to have a problem with Bob Mckenzie care to elaborate?
- HamiltonHawk

my guess is he is not a fan of his wine reviews

So have we finally accepted the fact that, in the right circumstances, Hossa would be a MONSTER in a 3rd line RW role, especially when paired with Kruger? That line would give people fits. Last season there was a significant amount of backlash whenever anyone threw that out there as an option.

His scoring touch may be going away somewhat, but he's still a beast on the puck and annoying as all hell on the backcheck.

Ageed but ,Bobby mac doesn't put things out there based on fan,conceptions, and a god!not quite lol not in the (Johnathan )way lol ,but other than good read jj

So have we finally accepted the fact that, in the right circumstances, Hossa would be a MONSTER in a 3rd line RW role, especially when paired with Kruger? That line would give people fits. Last season there was a significant amount of backlash whenever anyone threw that out there as an option.

His scoring touch may be going away somewhat, but he's still a beast on the puck and annoying as all hell on the backcheck.
- roots_gamble

I know I have ,never really had a problem with it .And Hossa has shown some nice Chemistry with Kruger

JJ you seem to have a problem with Bob Mckenzie care to elaborate?
- HamiltonHawk

No, just don't think he is assistant GM to all 30 teams.

He does some things very well—no one is better at getting the trades first when they're about to be sent in to the league, and he has good contacts throughout th eleague. But, he is not always right or infallible. Seems like a good guy from all I've heard from some who know him or claim to.

I just don't think that when Mckenzie or Dreger says something, it's "truth." But a lot of people, especially in Canada, seem to think it is.

I know I have ,never really had a problem with it .And Hossa has shown some nice Chemistry with Kruger
- oldduffman

I thought Hossa should have been on the third line last year.

He's slowing down and it shows. He could do some real damage on that third line.

Honestly, I think the Hawks are fairly happy with the kids or else they would have closed a deal with the inexpensive forward options or pulled the trigger on a trade using some of the organization depth at D. The fact that the Hawks are looking to add to the team doesn't mean as much as the fact that they didn't execute on bringing anyone in. If Stan wanted outside help that badly, it would be here.

The young guys are rookies and we know the Hawks like to have vets as insurance and to push for roster spots, but the Hawks don't seem too desperate for help at forward.

Ageed but ,Bobby mac doesn't put things out there based on fan,conceptions, and a god!not quite lol not in the (Johnathan )way lol ,but other than good read jj
- MR.Hunter

He's a really solid hockey journalist. One of the best.

No, just don't think he is assistant GM to all 30 teams.

He does some things very well—no one is better at getting the trades first when they're about to be sent in to the league, and he has good contacts throughout th eleague. But, he is not always right or infallible. Seems like a good guy from all I've heard from some who know him or claim to.

I just don't think that when Mckenzie or Dreger says something, it's "truth." But a lot of people, especially in Canada, seem to think it is.
- John Jaeckel

It's all percentages. The percentage of his hits versus swings and misses is far better than most, but still there are plenty of misses

So have we finally accepted the fact that, in the right circumstances, Hossa would be a MONSTER in a 3rd line RW role, especially when paired with Kruger? That line would give people fits. Last season there was a significant amount of backlash whenever anyone threw that out there as an option.

His scoring touch may be going away somewhat, but he's still a beast on the puck and annoying as all hell on the backcheck.
- roots_gamble

Motte/Kruger/Hossa is intriguing as hell, but moving Hoss to 3RW always seems predicated on the assumption that TT or Schmaltz or someone will "replace him" with Toews. Hasn't happened, has it?

The Yak thing maybe does, but THAT is predicated on his flourishing with Panarin and Anisimov.

It's all percentages. The percentage of his hits versus swings and misses is far better than most, but still there are plenty of misses
- -Doh-

Agreed, I also think those guys are better as the deal gets closer to fruition, because of contacts they have in Toronto mostly. On the early stuff, they are no better than anyone else, and honestly they are not as close to specific teams as a lot of others are.