Also, one thing I've been hearing over and over... Seabrook is untradeable.

No he is not. There is a thing called Salary Retention. We can eat half his cap hit... forever, and there are probably a couple of teams who'd take a slow Seabrook for $3+ a year.

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.
- z1990z

Keith is a freak, an outlier. He's the second to last piece I'd move besides Kane. If you lose Keith you are all but guaranteeing another playoff miss next season. I think almost all of us want Keith to retire a Hawk. #2 will be in the rafters. Now I'm all jacked up.

Also, one thing I've been hearing over and over... Seabrook is untradeable.

No he is not. There is a thing called Salary Retention. We can eat half his cap hit... forever, and there are probably a couple of teams who'd take a slow Seabrook for $3+ a year.
- ObeseOprah

Sure, other teams might want to do that but would the Hawks? They already have Hossa's cap that isn't totally usable (it is and it isn't), I don't think the Hawks would want another ~ $3.4 million in dead cap space. They'll finally get Panarin's bonuses off the books next year, I think they'd rather use that money on a player than retaining half of Seabrook's contract.

Keith is a freak, an outlier. He's the second to last piece I'd move besides Kane. If you lose Keith you are all but guaranteeing another playoff miss next season. I think almost all of us want Keith to retire a Hawk. #2 will be in the rafters. Now I'm all jacked up.
- ObeseOprah

I don't disagree. I just threw that out there as this team is a giant mess with holes everywhere. The big three of 19, 7 and 2 all look to have lost a step (or more) and are no longer effective.

Hossa+ to Ottawa for one of their roster players who's actually being paid a salary.
We trade real $$ for more cap space!
Pageau comes to mind

Eli is doing well. I still talk to him, he's been real busy with work and life.
- Justin Lowe

Wouldn't be a surprise if he uses a different avatar name and all. A couple others have done exactly that.

Bowman and McDonugh avatar are falsified names

Justin apparently is the referee

I don't disagree. I just threw that out there as this team is a giant mess with holes everywhere. The big three of 19, 7 and 2 all look to have lost a step (or more) and are no longer effective.
- z1990z

Keith and Toews (to varying degrees) are still effective, just not as effective as they once were. Keith is still our best defenseman by a wide margin.

Wouldn't be a surprise if he uses a different avatar name and all. A couple others have done exactly that.

Bowman and McDonugh avatar are falsified names

Justin apparently is the referee
- jhawk59

No they're not....they are the real Bowman and McDonough. Just look at they way they fight each other, they are the real deal.

Hossa+ to Ottawa for one of their roster players who's actually being paid a salary.
We trade real $$ for more cap space!
Pageau comes to mind
- Slofire94

If Hossa's contract is insured (which I assume it is) then a deal to Ottawa make more sense. They can have a $5+ million cap hit but pay $0 in actual cash. If I am wrong in my understanding of how insured contracts work then the Sens would still be paying only $1 million for a $5+ million cap hit.

Pageau or Smith would make sense.

Also, one thing I've been hearing over and over... Seabrook is untradeable.

No he is not. There is a thing called Salary Retention. We can eat half his cap hit... forever, and there are probably a couple of teams who'd take a slow Seabrook for $3+ a year.
- ObeseOprah

A big maybe. I bet a team interested would already figure the cost includes next season then likely compliance buyout. Whom has $3mill cap space to work with?

Liljegren, Marner and a 2018 2nd
- DarthKane

I do that trade in a heartbeat might have take martin back though still don't think toronto would do it hawks aren't going anywhere in the next 3 years now is the time to change the core over

If Hossa's contract is insured (which I assume it is) then a deal to Ottawa make more sense. They can have a $5+ million cap hit but pay $0 in actual cash. If I am wrong in my understanding of how insured contracts work then the Sens would still be paying only $1 million for a $5+ million cap hit.

Pageau or Smith would make sense.
- DarthKane

Even without insurance (doesn't insurance only cover 80% salary?)
Ottawa goes from paying ~$3M/$3m salary/cap hit to $1M/$5m salary/cap hit
They save real $$ which their owner cares so much about...

A big maybe. I bet a team interested would already figure the cost includes next season then likely compliance buyout. Whom has $3mill cap space to work with?
- jhawk59

That only works if there are more compliance buyouts inserted in to the new CBA, otherwise is just a buyout and he is on the books for the next 10 years.

As all of you ponder about blowing this team up, ask yourselves exactly what you are going to get in return for jettisoning all the players that you deem not good enough anymore. You think 30 GM's out there can't see just like you that Seabrook is struggling? Say the Hawks retain $3mil of his salary, your are not going to get a 1st or 2nd pairing D-man in return, and you are not going to get a top 6 winger. The best you hope for is a draft pick or prospect, and at that point you are a couple of years of determining any real return for him. If for some chance a GM out there has a mini-stroke and offers you up anything to take his whole deal off your hands you take the deal as quickly as possible and walk away smiling from ear to ear.

Interesting debate I was having with a buddy of mine the other day.

Hawks are likely to get a Top 10 pick in the Draft. Obviously everyone is wondering A.) how bad the team is gonna fall this year B.) where is their pick gonna land C.) who they're gonna take. He believes (like most people) that they're done and they need to blow it up and rebuild. However, I feel that with a few key moves this team could bounce back right into contention with a younger group of forwards surround our aging Core. There are some pieces here that can definitely be used to build this team around IMO and a lot of bubble guys who could pan out to be great role players or bust out.

Would you be willing to trade a Top 10 pick for a Top 4 D-Man to help keep this push going? I think that could really help our chances next year but obviously (depending on age of said D-Man and Contract) could hurt our chances long term (I wouldn't want anyone over say 27-28). What do you guys think?

>>>The only issue I have with that (which is difficult without playing favourites) is if you have guys like Duclair, Hinostroza, Hartman, etc. that are in your plans for next year than play them as much as you can and get them to learn from their mistakes.<<<

like getting some structure to their game, consistent line-ups for players to know who the hell they are playing with and identify their role...

this team has no identity and no structure at all...where is the leadership that is going to get them out this season long mess...

Interesting debate I was having with a buddy of mine the other day.

Hawks are likely to get a Top 10 pick in the Draft. Obviously everyone is wondering A.) how bad the team is gonna fall this year B.) where is their pick gonna land C.) who they're gonna take. He believes (like most people) that they're done and they need to blow it up and rebuild. However, I feel that with a few key moves this team could bounce back right into contention with a younger group of forwards surround our aging Core. There are some pieces here that can definitely be used to build this team around IMO and a lot of bubble guys who could pan out to be great role players or bust out.

Would you be willing to trade a Top 10 pick for a Top 4 D-Man to help keep this push going? I think that could really help our chances next year but obviously (depending on age of said D-Man and Contract) could hurt our chances long term (I wouldn't want anyone over say 27-28). What do you guys think?
- Savetheembers33

Who is your pick for a top 4 D-man?

Also, one thing I've been hearing over and over... Seabrook is untradeable.

No he is not. There is a thing called Salary Retention. We can eat half his cap hit... forever, and there are probably a couple of teams who'd take a slow Seabrook for $3+ a year.
- ObeseOprah

you can damn well bet stanbow and management is not going to trade and eat 50% of 6 years left...they won't deal with that humiliation and wave a white flag...

Interesting debate I was having with a buddy of mine the other day.

Hawks are likely to get a Top 10 pick in the Draft. Obviously everyone is wondering A.) how bad the team is gonna fall this year B.) where is their pick gonna land C.) who they're gonna take. He believes (like most people) that they're done and they need to blow it up and rebuild. However, I feel that with a few key moves this team could bounce back right into contention with a younger group of forwards surround our aging Core. There are some pieces here that can definitely be used to build this team around IMO and a lot of bubble guys who could pan out to be great role players or bust out.

Would you be willing to trade a Top 10 pick for a Top 4 D-Man to help keep this push going? I think that could really help our chances next year but obviously (depending on age of said D-Man and Contract) could hurt our chances long term (I wouldn't want anyone over say 27-28). What do you guys think?
- Savetheembers33

Who is going to trade you a top 4 d-man for a pick? Does the trade happen before or after the draft lottery. I would probably trade the 6-10 pick for a current Top 4 d-man that is under 26 years old. Pick 1-5 I am not moving. Draft is a crap shoot, picks may turn into a top player and may not. Plenty of 1st round busts out there, or "average" players. Top 4 d-men are scarce and typically take a while to develop.

If the 'Hawks draft one of the NHL-ready players available, Crow is able to return to form next year and the young ones make further strides, they are back in the playoffs. If the core bounces back any, they can do damage in the playoffs in 2019.

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
- Scott1977

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
- Scott1977

Do you deliberately spell Wingles name wiggles to be an bumhole? Or do you not know his real name?

Do you deliberately spell Wingles name wiggles to be an bumhole? Or do you not know his real name?
- GPHawksfan

Its a misspell a mistake settle down relax

Keith is a freak, an outlier. He's the second to last piece I'd move besides Kane. If you lose Keith you are all but guaranteeing another playoff miss next season. I think almost all of us want Keith to retire a Hawk. #2 will be in the rafters. Now I'm all jacked up.
- ObeseOprah

I would retain Keith, too. My take is that he and the overall team defense will improve if each blueliner (a) is slotted properly, (b) plays on the side that is their strength, and (c) is not a carbon copy of each other with a common thread being great puck movers but being mediocre or downright ugly at playing defense.

Who is your pick for a top 4 D-man?
- FeartheFeathers

Trouba

Who is going to trade you a top 4 d-man for a pick? Does the trade happen before or after the draft lottery. I would probably trade the 6-10 pick for a current Top 4 d-man that is under 26 years old. Pick 1-5 I am not moving. Draft is a crap shoot, picks may turn into a top player and may not. Plenty of 1st round busts out there, or "average" players. Top 4 d-men are scarce and typically take a while to develop.
- TheTrob

While it would be awesome to have a top 5 draft pick or even top 10, I'm still cautious at whether the draftee has an instant and high ROI. As far as defenders go, for instance, Hedman is a beast now in Tampa but it took him many years to get to the level he is at. Same with Pronger.

In a similar vein, Ekblad as the #1 overall in 2014 had a great rookie year but then hit a sophomore slump. And while a good defender today, I wouldn't say he is dominant yet like Hedman is. Redden was a #1 overall, too, and he wasn't an instant hit and had to evolve his game and reputation to eventually become a reliable defender.

So having a top 5 or top 10 pick would hopefully help restock the team with a core player, but dividends may not be automatic in year one. I'd be more than happy to be wrong and draft someone in the 1st round (or any other round for that matter) this summer who plugs in right away to contribute in huge ways.