In a write up you did few weeks back, you mentioned Hawks had interest in Tommy Wingels. Seems as he could fit the type of players, Stan is looking at. Wonder if we could see a "speed-pesty" line of Dauphin-Hinostroza- Wingels ?? As a bottom pairing of course. Still hoping some of the Hawks kids come through to help save on the cap.
Also had a thought ............ Saad when he was a rookie, was on a line with Toews and Hossa. Saad learned well, as he is the closest thing to the "real Hossa". Maybe the youngster who was impressive last year, Alexander Fortin, could play with Toews and Hossa and be the youngster under the wings of two veterans ..... like Saad was in his rookie year. Just food for thought

I provided fact and insight. They are faster up and down the ice today. "Better," not guaranteed, but it should enable some things they have not been able to do the last two years.

Tell me how THAT specifically is inaccurate. How they're not much faster, how Saad at minimum doesn't help restore the transition game, how transition changes the flow on the ice.

You provide zero fact or logic, just "Panarin is awesome and you can't trade him."
- John Jaeckel

2010 to 2015 the Hawks more times than not were the faster team on the ice. The last two seasons not so much. I agree that Saad will help restore the transition game. I think overall a good start for SB but he still has more work to do.

I see the Hawks PR machine at work here. Make some major announcements every few days to keep them on the front page of the sports page. First was the Hossa news followed a couple of days later by the two big trades. We'll probably here about another trade this week, then followed around July 1 by a Kruger trade and a free agent signing or two.

Taken in totality, there's a clear pattern and plan behind these two trades: get younger, cheaper, and especially, faster.

Said all offseason the names don't matter to me the (a) plan does. Going in we had the same aging core, the FO seemingly paralyzed from making any big deals, would only fill in a round the edges and then the Hossa thing.

That's changed for better or worse although I'm fine with the moves but even happier that there is a change in the thinking of the last 7 years of filling in around the edges to a core that can't out talent teams anymore.

We can all agree the plan of filling in around the core of the last 4-5-6 years was no longer effective but can argue about the new direction/plan. All I was hoping for as the group had gotten so stagnant and predictable it was hard to watch.

Some more fodder for those 1/2 empty folks. I see 1 of the 9 Hawks picks listed over 6ft. http://www.nhl.com/ice/dr...team=CHI&position=&round=

Sharp rumored to be returning on cheap 1 yr deal and also reportedly interested in trading for andrew shaw
- hawkshossa81

Bringing Sharp back sounds like a "we've exhausted all other avenues" move. Still to early to bring him back and quite frankly I like him but, the Hawks have to stop this getting the band back together stuff (Saad trade the exception).

And as much as I like and think the team misses Shaw. Not at his current salary.

I love Lil Arti and I said that I didn't care if we ever won a cup again as watching he and Kane play together was entertaining enough for me. I was wrong!!! It sucked having to choose who to root for in the playoffs when it wasn't the hocks. I just saw a vidy of "17 seconds " as it was 4 years ago today. Magical. This team did some magical stuff but, everybody gets older and you need to move on. I guess that's what video tape is for.

By Lil Arti. Loved you short time.

GO HOCKS. Bring me back some magic.

Would be nice to see the Hawks develop a bottom six with speed anchored by centers who can first and foremost win faceoffs.

JJ agree on all points bigger faster younger good insightful write up as panrin was a lethal sniper I will take sadd over him any day just a better all around player and not basically one deminsional like panrin a perminter player. AA should either move to lw and smaltz to center if a deal cannot be done but with the rangers losing stepan that would be the team I would look at: miller grabner vesy pumpel krieder all have speed miller can center and rw grabner rw the rest at lw with size and speed. Kruger to probably to vegas for a pick why not send pick back to vegas for a d man or do straight trade kruger for smidt merril or miller if the hawks need to something give them hino or kero. Thanks JJ for all the information and insight you give.

Spin spin and more spin. Murphy was just barely a third pairing guy on a bad team.
- Savoy

Actually in the last two seasons he was a 2nd pair guy on a bad team. He played ~20 minutes per game combined in the last two years, which is 4D for the Yotes.

I really think Anisimov is the next one out (along with Kruger). Having two centers on one line just doesn't make sense. I think they want Schmaltz at center where he looked lretty comfortable down the stretch as it was the best way to exploit his creativity. From there they'll need to get a goal scoring winger whether thats Sharp or, what I prefer, is a goal scoring winger with size whether thats Neal or E. Kane or someone else. I also think they need another veteran or two on the bottom six especially a center who can win draws and likely another vet dman. Trading Hossa's contract to me is key so they don't have to just LtIR him and lose a chance to acquire deadline help.

I really think Anisimov is the next one out (along with Kruger). Having two centers on one line just doesn't make sense. I think they want Schmaltz at center where he looked lretty comfortable down the stretch as it was the best way to exploit his creativity. From there they'll need to get a goal scoring winger whether thats Sharp or, what I prefer, is a goal scoring winger with size whether thats Neal or E. Kane or someone else. I also think they need another veteran or two on the bottom six especially a center who can win draws and likely another vet dman. Trading Hossa's contract to me is key so they don't have to just LtIR him and lose a chance to acquire deadline help.
- golfbard

Would like to see Desi get back to his fore check/hammer days. The guy was a hitter with the Sharks.

In a write up you did few weeks back, you mentioned Hawks had interest in Tommy Wingels. Seems as he could fit the type of players, Stan is looking at. Wonder if we could see a "speed-pesty" line of Dauphin-Hinostroza- Wingels ?? As a bottom pairing of course. Still hoping some of the Hawks kids come through to help save on the cap.
Also had a thought ............ Saad when he was a rookie, was on a line with Toews and Hossa. Saad learned well, as he is the closest thing to the "real Hossa". Maybe the youngster who was impressive last year, Alexander Fortin, could play with Toews and Hossa and be the youngster under the wings of two veterans ..... like Saad was in his rookie year. Just food for thought
- chuckdahammer

God, I love Alex Fortin. He is not the complete Product Saader was when he came up, but speed on the LW and the ability to make plays at top speed? Kid competes too.

Dunno if the Hawks will be able to afford Tommy, but it would be nice.

I see the Hawks PR machine at work here. Make some major announcements every few days to keep them on the front page of the sports page. First was the Hossa news followed a couple of days later by the two big trades. We'll probably here about another trade this week, then followed around July 1 by a Kruger trade and a free agent signing or two.
- boilermaker100

THIS ^^^^^^

If I had to bet . . .

Would like to see Desi get back to his fore check/hammer days. The guy was a hitter with the Sharks.
- z1990z

He is also pretty good at the dot and kills penalties too

Bringing Sharp back sounds like a "we've exhausted all other avenues" move. Still to early to bring him back and quite frankly I like him but, the Hawks have to stop this getting the band back together stuff (Saad trade the exception).

And as much as I like and think the team misses Shaw. Not at his current salary.
- Rota's Rooter

I think it is all about the $$$. On a low value deal, Sharp wouldn't be bad. He still has some wheels and can shoot the puck. It will depend on how he is doing on the injury front. Last year that was an issue. They couldn't trade Sharp last year because of injury I believe.

God, I love Alex Fortin. He is not the complete Product Saader was when he came up, but speed on the LW and the ability to make plays at top speed? Kid competes too.

Dunno if the Hawks will be able to afford Tommy, but it would be nice.
- John Jaeckel

Somebody on that kind of line would be crashing the net all the time. And the speed
How much do you think Tommy wants ..... can we get him for 3 million - replace the Krueger salary. Hometown discount LOL

JJ agree on all points bigger faster younger good insightful write up as panrin was a lethal sniper I will take sadd over him any day just a better all around player and not basically one deminsional like panrin a perminter player. AA should either move to lw and smaltz to center if a deal cannot be done but with the rangers losing stepan that would be the team I would look at: miller grabner vesy pumpel krieder all have speed miller can center and rw grabner rw the rest at lw with size and speed. Kruger to probably to vegas for a pick why not send pick back to vegas for a d man or do straight trade kruger for smidt merril or miller if the hawks need to something give them hino or kero. Thanks JJ for all the information and insight you give.
- Scott1977

You're welcome scott.

I thought Toews' comments nailed it. Artie is a good kid who was dedicated and will continue to improve, but same can be said of Saad, just different players. They will miss the Warrior Mentality that Hossa, Hammer and Kruger embodied.

THAT'S in part why I keep harping on Dauphin. This is a high-motor kid who competes every shift and has NHL ability.

Forsberg, although a goalie, is a very competitive, confident kid (with talent). Kempny is fearless, Panik, same, Hartman . . .

Saad is a warrior.

I like a lot of what SB is doing. Getting younger and cheaper but bringing in guys who can keep the character and pushback high, if not even higher.

Somebody on that kind of line would be crashing the net all the time. And the speed
How much do you think Tommy wants ..... can we get him for 3 million - replace the Krueger salary. Hometown discount LOL
- chuckdahammer

Hometown discount would be less than $3 million

I see the Hawks PR machine at work here. Make some major announcements every few days to keep them on the front page of the sports page. First was the Hossa news followed a couple of days later by the two big trades. We'll probably here about another trade this week, then followed around July 1 by a Kruger trade and a free agent signing or two.
- boilermaker100

Is there something wrong with PR? You do know every team in every major league sport does the same thing correct?

Still need to clear cap room if there is going to be any reunions

Kruger, panik and rutta for rychle and leivo

Puts the hawks 3.1mil under the cap while adding youth with size to go with all the new speedsters

Is there something wrong with PR? You do know every team in every major league sport does the same thing correct?
- darkman

There is not as long as it does not get in the way of what is good for the team.

Not having followed Arizona as a team at all, it's good to hear that the Hawks increased their team speed in the trades. It was really frustrating in the playoffs to see Breadman not be able to pull away from the Nashville defense on the stretch passes that were able to get thru. Saad is one of the fastest players in the league and his cherry picking will prevent defensemen from pinching in. I like that a lot. I went back and watched the 2015 Cup series, and both teams were super fast. I will definitely take a dip in defensive skill for more speed and explosiveness. Too many times last season the Hawks got down a goal and just didn't have the energy in the tank to come back.

Maybe the Hawks should bring back Rundblad and have Rundblad and Murphy as a featured pair. Other teams are quaking at the thought. JJ does a terrific job except misleading spin helps nobody on this board. Do your own research.

Not having followed Arizona as a team at all, it's good to hear that the Hawks increased their team speed in the trades. It was really frustrating in the playoffs to see Breadman not be able to pull away from the Nashville defense on the stretch passes that were able to get thru. Saad is one of the fastest players in the league and his cherry picking will prevent defensemen from pinching in. I like that a lot. I went back and watched the 2015 Cup series, and both teams were super fast. I will definitely take a dip in defensive skill for more speed and explosiveness. Too many times last season the Hawks got down a goal and just didn't have the energy in the tank to come back.
- biskit67

Go read the Arizona board.