Justin Lowe: "What If" Trades In light of the Jeff Skinner trade yesterday, it looks like trades can still happen. Where you at, Stan?

It's August 1st and historically, there aren't many trades in this window as most teams have settled into their rosters after the NHL draft and NHL Free Agency.

So for fun (and fun only!), here are 3 "what if" trades that I've made up in my brain based on what I think the Hawks need and what that would mean for the Hawks lineup heading into training camp.

1st

LOVE all 3 of those trades Justin. and this was my last comment to RICO regarding Boquist...


I hated the pick on Draft Day, and this is a huge year for Boquist playing in London. He needs to hit the gym and learn to play North American hockey. I wouldnt expect him to even compete for a NHL roster spot until 2020, much less make the team. But I agree, there was absolutley nothing about the play from 3 in yellow that yelled "high end prospect/top 10 draft pick". It was one game against a very good USA squad, so time will tell.

https://theathletic.com/4...-returning-to-blackhawks/

https://theathletic.com/457719/2018/08/03/source-artemi-panarin-would-seriously-consider-returning-to-blackhawks/
- Stan_Bowman

https://theathletic.com/457719/2018/08/03/source-artemi-panarin-would-seriously-consider-returning-to-blackhawks/
- Stan_Bowman

Have to wonder who that source was, if not his agent. Panarin himself? Kane? Bob?

I'd be surprised if he came back after the way he reacted to the first trade.

Arbitrator awards Cody Ceci $4.3M

I'd be willing to give up any prospect or picks for the Breadman just because he's a proven star, provided we can sign him long term. This isn't just a case of getting the team back together. He's still got a quite a few years in him too.

I think in order of liking the trades from a "how much does this help the Hawks" vantagepoint, the first trade would be a boon for the Hawks, the second would be a running in circles move (not sure getting Pysyk for Murphy improves anything on the backend which is the most glaring need, not 2LW), and the 3rd deal is just unnecessary. For a guy who might top out at 17-19 goals in Anderson, I wouldn't move a guy on an EL contract who could put up just as many goals and is younger in Sykura (and yes I know they are the same age)

I like the Bjugstad one, although I'd hate to lose Murphy.

There has been a lot of talk of Nylander in Toronto. One thing the Hawks should seriously consider is bringing him over given that Toronto likely won't be able to sign him back. Him and Schmaltz are very good friends and he used to live in Chicago, played for the mission.

Justin, thank you for the fun blog and just frequent blogs during these dog days of summer to keep us preoccupied with great conversation.

As for your trade proposals:

1st trade for Faulk and Wallmark:

- I'm personally not in the pro Faulk camp and think Gustafsson and maybe eventually Forsling can offer the same thing: great offensive weapon and PP specialist but not very strong defensively.

- Wallmark would be great if the potential and goal is to replace Anisimov. Since Wallmark is still a prospect, big if and expectations to fulfill to not necessarily replace what Anisimov brings but to just be a reliable NHL 2/3C.

- It wouldn't be good asset management and reputation building to have Sikura be patient with the team and sign after his final year at Northeastern to then trade him the summer after his graduation. It sends a bad message to future college prospects. Plus, I'll admit, I'm very high on Sikura and it would have to take a lot to pry him away. He and Wise are the only top 6 forward prospects.

2nd trade for Bjugstad and Pysyk:

- I don't see this as moving the needle for the Hawks, more as a trade to give all players involved a change of scenery (or in the case of Forsling, a chance to make an NHL roster given the Hawks deep blueline prospect pool).

- Of the 3 trade proposals, I like this one most.

3rd trade for Anderson and Stenlund:

- Would love Anderson but not at the expense of Sikura (see reasoning above about Dylan); however, I'm not a Gustafsson fan so I don't mind him in any trade proposals.

- On the one hand, if Stenlund is similar to Ejdsell, I would ask for another prospect with a different skill set, particularly one that may not be in the pipeline currently. On the other hand, having both Stenlund and Ejdsell may be good in case one doesn't pan out then you can hopefully rely on the other since there may not be a need to have the same type of player on the NHL roster simultaneously.

Tom Dundon says they don't intend to trade Faulk now.

They really like the way the defense is set up right now and don't see much reason to change that.

Slavin-Hamilton
deHaan-Faulk
Fleury-Pesce
TVR

To be fair, Justin, and not be the type to give feedback on your ideas but not counter propose. For 2018-19, I consider the priorities to be:

1) A big power winger with experience to play with Kane, but ideally on an expiring contract so the team isn't locked in if they want to move on to someone else next year.

2) Trade Anisimov to gain cap space but only if a new 3C is secured either as an acquisition or an Ice Hog like Johnson, Highmore, or Kampf stepping up. Acquiring a 3C to replace Anisimov may wash out the intended increase in cap space so that is a consideration. I see going with a Hog center as the realistic option.

3) Acquire an experienced top 4 d-man to play with Keith. Good RHD are hard to find, especially one that is defensively responsible and affordable. Realistically, I am starting to think Jokiharju does make the team to make the RHD choices Seabrook, Jokiharju, Rutta, and Murphy (who can also play LHD).

With that said, I see #2 and #3 being fulfilled internally while #1 may end up being a free agent like Nash. Not ideal but may be what actually plays out given the circumstances. I see 2018-19 as a status quo year then 2019-20 and moving forward as the marked jump from non or at least borderline playoff team back to strong playoff contention.

Tom Dundon says they don't intend to trade Faulk now.

They really like the way the defense is set up right now and don't see much reason to change that.

Slavin-Hamilton
deHaan-Faulk
Fleury-Pesce
TVR
- BINGO!

Would you consider Bean and McKeown as trade chips?

We are in rebuild mode , I want to keep the 2nd round pick and also want to see what DS can do for a year.
We are playing for a top 5 to 7 pick again , Hopefully lose AA cap this season , develop more kids and 2019/20 here we come !!!! fun read !!!!!

What if:
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
for Seabrook and Rutta
All salary retained because.. Chiarelli.

He'll finally get more D, and no worrying about finding the right wingers for Connor if he doesn't have a Connor to worry about. It's a Chia win-win!

What if...one of Eklunds rumors were true?

What if...one of Eklunds rumors were true?
- PatShart

That would be the end of the world as we know it....

We are in rebuild mode , I want to keep the 2nd round pick and also want to see what DS can do for a year.
We are playing for a top 5 to 7 pick again , Hopefully lose AA cap this season , develop more kids and 2019/20 here we come !!!! fun read !!!!!
- CTblackhawkfan

Jack Hughes or bust! #1 overall here we come!!!!

What if:
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
for Seabrook and Rutta
All salary retained because.. Chiarelli.

He'll finally get more D, and no worrying about finding the right wingers for Connor if he doesn't have a Connor to worry about. It's a Chia win-win!
- ChonDerry

MAYBE I'd consider it if Chia-pet includes your 2019 and 2020 1st rounders, and takes $5mil of Toews cap hit (but we keep Toews).

Florida never makes this trade. And your logic that it frees up space for Pacioretty makes no sense because Nick Bjugstad would have been the centerpiece return wise to Montreal.

That would be the end of the world as we know it....


- EnzoD

...and the Hawks will have Malkin, Karlsson and Weber. But not Toews.

LOVE all 3 of those trades Justin. and this was my last comment to RICO regarding Boquist...


I hated the pick on Draft Day, and this is a huge year for Boquist playing in London. He needs to hit the gym and learn to play North American hockey. I wouldnt expect him to even compete for a NHL roster spot until 2020, much less make the team. But I agree, there was absolutley nothing about the play from 3 in yellow that yelled "high end prospect/top 10 draft pick". It was one game against a very good USA squad, so time will tell.
- EnzoD

Lets judge Boquist in 2 years let him develop and see. Agree was to pleased either with either first round picks Wahlstrom and Veleno were the picks I wanted.

What if I change the topic to the first games yesterday in the world Junior U-20 summer showcase.

Boqvist is #3 and was a plus two against the USA in that game.

He was really good in the middle zone at closing on the ensuing attackers is the passing options closed.

The older 19 year old Swedish defenseman were the ones who had trouble defending...and you can't ignore that Jack Hughes is really strong on the puck at his size.

Lets judge Boquist in 2 years let him develop and see. Agree wasnot to pleased with either first round picks Wahlstrom and Veleno were the picks I wanted.
- Scott1977[