Not a fair comparison. He was being relegated to 10 minutes a night on the fourth line. This team is finished for the year, bring him up and install him into comparable situations with the big club. See how he looks and progresses in a Top 6 role between now and the end of the season.

It was stupid to send one of the few guys who hit and crash the net when we were in the mix, now it's even dumber to not use the last 25 games to grow his game more, so that he can really hit the ground running next year.
- kwolf68

I thought Hayden hit a bit of a wall around the start of December. He started the year good, but faded in my personal estimation.

Add in the fact that the team was struggling and few guys can be sent down without going through waivers, most of which had been contributing more than Hayden (or playing a less deep position). Nothing wrong with him, but he might come up as a better player after being sent down. (like Schmaltz last year)

You mean Duchene might be interested in us after becoming a UFA next year?
He may want to leave that dumpster fire in Ottawa.
Oops, shouldn't have said that!
- 67hawks

Just a joke guys.

Just a joke guys.
- Justin Lowe

I know, how can we get him and Taveres. It has to be one or the other guys!

Salary cap aside, the Hawks need: A new top line, a new top pair.

Imagine having a middle of the league top line, and middle of the league top pair. This would shift Saad-Toews-Kane down, and Keith-Seabrook down. For instance it could be like Dadonov-Barkov-Bjugstad, a very good line, but not the best or worst in the league. Another top pairing would be like Slavin-Pesce, not the best top pairing or the worst.

The only ways the Hawks are pulling something like this off is through the draft or a complete robbery of a desperate team. The best time to rob a team is at the deadline, and to a lesser extent the draft.

Maybe Stan can get another Duclair deal. Maybe Duclair develops into a top line player the way he was touted 2-3 years ago. Maybe Forsling becomes the player he started resembling 1/3rd into the season.

A ton rides on this deadline and draft. Fans likely don't have patience for two years of tank. We'll at least need to see promise next year to avoid a major exodus of the bandwagon (god please let an exodus happen).
The lineup could look like this (NHL 18 fankid BS goggles firmly on):
Duclair-Schmaltz-Zadina
Saad-Toews-Kane
Hartman-AA-Debrincat
Hinostroza-Kampf-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Forsling-Murphy
Oesterle-Jokiharju

Yes, the defense would still be a crapshow. Maybe one of the other icehogs could take some swings in the cage.

I know, how can we get him and Taveres. It has to be one or the other guys!
- breadbag

Not if we swing that big deal for Malkin, players will be lining up to take discounts to play with the Hawks!

Not if we swing that big deal for Malkin, players will be lining up to take discounts to play with the Hawks!
- BlazinMike

Malkin is only a 2C though!!!

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo 1m

.@sportingnewsca Scouts for 17 teams on the list for the #Leafs - Columbus game: BOS, LA, DAL, WIN, CHI(2), OTT, TB, NSH, VEG, COL, CGY, FL, PHI, VAN, PIT, ANA, STL

Salary cap aside, the Hawks need: A new top line, a new top pair.

Imagine having a middle of the league top line, and middle of the league top pair. This would shift Saad-Toews-Kane down, and Keith-Seabrook down. For instance it could be like Dadonov-Barkov-Bjugstad, a very good line, but not the best or worst in the league. Another top pairing would be like Slavin-Pesce, not the best top pairing or the worst.

The only ways the Hawks are pulling something like this off is through the draft or a complete robbery of a desperate team. The best time to rob a team is at the deadline, and to a lesser extent the draft.

Maybe Stan can get another Duclair deal. Maybe Duclair develops into a top line player the way he was touted 2-3 years ago. Maybe Forsling becomes the player he started resembling 1/3rd into the season.

A ton rides on this deadline and draft. Fans likely don't have patience for two years of tank. We'll at least need to see promise next year to avoid a major exodus of the bandwagon (god please let an exodus happen).
The lineup could look like this (NHL 18 fankid BS goggles firmly on):
Duclair-Schmaltz-Zadina
Saad-Toews-Kane
Hartman-AA-Debrincat
Hinostroza-Kampf-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Forsling-Murphy
Oesterle-Jokiharju

Yes, the defense would still be a crapshow. Maybe one of the other icehogs could take some swings in the cage.
- ObeseOprah

I think Zadina is likely to go top 3, i don't think the Hawks are realistically going to fall that far. Maybe they luck into it with the lottery but i wouldn't bet on it.

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo 1m

.@sportingnewsca Scouts for 17 teams on the list for the #Leafs - Columbus game: BOS, LA, DAL, WIN, CHI(2), OTT, TB, NSH, VEG, COL, CGY, FL, PHI, VAN, PIT, ANA, STL
- jt19

Seabrook for Kadri.

Malkin is only a 2C though!!!
- Slofire94

Psh, you're right, (frank) that bum

I think Zadina is likely to go top 3, i don't think the Hawks are realistically going to fall that far. Maybe they luck into it with the lottery but i wouldn't bet on it.
- BlazinMike

Agreed, it's most likely we pick at 8-12 right now. I'm kind've bummed that all the top prospects are Wingers and Dmen when we kind've need a new 1C. Dmen take a little while to develop aside from a few outliers. Wahlstrom or Bouchard look pretty promising. It's really exciting to have a high pick again.

Agreed, it's most likely we pick at 8-12 right now. I'm kind've bummed that all the top prospects are Wingers and Dmen when we kind've need a new 1C. Dmen take a little while to develop aside from a few outliers. Wahlstrom or Bouchard look pretty promising. It's really exciting to have a high pick again.
- ObeseOprah

These guys would be good, I think Noah Dobson could be the most likely pick for the Hawks.

Although, if he falls that far then 5'9" defenseman Quinton Hughes would be a perfect fit for the Hawks.

Agreed, it's most likely we pick at 8-12 right now. I'm kind've bummed that all the top prospects are Wingers and Dmen when we kind've need a new 1C. Dmen take a little while to develop aside from a few outliers. Wahlstrom or Bouchard look pretty promising. It's really exciting to have a high pick again.
- ObeseOprah

Exciting for the possibilities, but it sucks to sit through. In other news, water is still wet

So justin seeing that the TDL. Draft and free agency is as hawk fans looking towards what can we expect to happen at the TDL besides the obvious names wiggles bouma franson kempney. Rutta. Because those players only going net you 4 through 7 picks so do the hawks try make a bigger trade at the TDL or just acquire picks? I the offseason what direction are the going they to decide on plan of direction and go with it so who the hawks target in free agency. What is the most glaring need because all facets of the hawks are not very good right now the draft is wait and see what position we end up with if the nhl is smart they the hawks to get back in the playoffs and deep for generating revenue so hawks better get a top 5 pick a long with rangers . so justin what would you do if u were in charge at the TDL draft and free agency and give us your best thoughts on what should and could happen. The ball is in your court

Scott Powers @ByScottPowers
1m

I just ran the NHL lottery draft simulator at @tankathon 25 times. The Blackhawks landed at No. 8 16 times, No. 7 five times, No. 3 twice and No. 2 twice.

These guys would be good, I think Noah Dobson could be the most likely pick for the Hawks.

Although, if he falls that far then 5'9" defenseman Quinton Hughes would be a perfect fit for the Hawks.
- DarthKane

I wouldn't be upset if they took Hughes, but I can't think of any great 5'9" defesemen of the recent memory. Krug and Spurgeon are good solid defensemen, but not heir apparents at all. If I'm using the 'likely only' top 10 pick the Hawks will have in the next couple years, I might not want to reach for a very undersized defenseman. This will be a make or break draft for Stan.

Michael Augello @MikeInBuffalo 1m

.@sportingnewsca Scouts for 17 teams on the list for the #Leafs - Columbus game: BOS, LA, DAL, WIN, CHI(2), OTT, TB, NSH, VEG, COL, CGY, FL, PHI, VAN, PIT, ANA, STL
- jt19

Keith to Leafs?

Keith to Leafs?
- Slofire94

I don't like the idea of trading keith unless the return is really good.

I kind of feel like without Keith next year, we might as well be checking on next years draft prospects now.

I wouldn't be upset if they took Hughes, but I can't think of any great 5'9" defesemen of the recent memory. Krug and Spurgeon are good solid defensemen, but not heir apparents at all. If I'm using the 'likely only' top 10 pick the Hawks will have in the next couple years, I might not want to reach for a very undersized defenseman. This will be a make or break draft for Stan.
- ObeseOprah

Not that whatever the Hockey News publishes is gospel, but they consider Jokiharju's NHL comparable to be Spurgeon. If he does meet that standard, I would be happy. Spurgeon isn't a #1 defender but he's solid and fundamentally sound regardless of size. I don't project Jokiharju to be a #1 but a solid 2nd pair blueliner.

Then again, when Keith was drafted and even in his early years with the Admirals and Hawks, I didn't consider him to be a #1 let alone a future 2-time Norris trophy winner, Conn Smythe winner, and holder of numerous world medals.

Keith to Leafs?
- Slofire94

I will eat a white dog turd if they trade Keith.

I wouldn't be upset if they took Hughes, but I can't think of any great 5'9" defesemen of the recent memory. Krug and Spurgeon are good solid defensemen, but not heir apparents at all. If I'm using the 'likely only' top 10 pick the Hawks will have in the next couple years, I might not want to reach for a very undersized defenseman. This will be a make or break draft for Stan.
- ObeseOprah

I know...I was being sarcastic.

Keith to Leafs?
- Slofire94

Liljegren, Marner and a 2018 2nd

Liljegren, Marner and a 2018 2nd
- DarthKane

Ya right maybe a 2018 2nd

I know...I was being sarcastic.
- DarthKane

Please excuse my boner

Guess the question to ask is this regarding Keith. Keep him because he has some life left (maybe) or move him for picks/prospects/cap space for a reload? The whole D core needs a make over. Tough decisions with this roster.