I would think moving guys like Forsberg, Rutta, Forsling (and maybe more) have been discussed as, like you mentioned there is a bit of a logjam coming at G and D, however, there's no area you can drastically improve unless the package is expanded as those guys won't bring much back.

I believe the Hawks are thrilled with a 3-0-2 start with no Crawford. No we enter a new season where Crawford appears to be ready to go. How he looks could change things (for better or for worse) on how they evaluate this team and what they should be doing on the trade market.

We'll have to wait and see.
- Justin Lowe

Hard to believe you could be giving up 5 goals a game and truly have a log jam at G and D

Hard to believe you could be giving up 5 goals a game and truly have a log jam at G and D
- vabeachbear

There is a log jam, but we keep seeing the same damn faces. When injuries start healing though, that will change and really show itself. That 5 goals hopefully goes down.

Agree BB. I think the kid fits better as a wing and is only playing C cuz the Hawks are so thin there. At least as a 22 yr old with 145 NHL games.
- Mr Ricochet

I haven't really followed Nylander much but is he that much better then Schmaltz? Point production wise they appear to be pretty similar.

I know Schmaltz isn't the perfect 2C but for a team that really has not had one in the last decade I don't get all the negativity. I'd take him over Zus or Richards.

How many 2C are there in the league that put up around 60pts and bring creativity and speed up the middle? You have Kruger and Toews to take on the big bad centers of the West. Schmaltz is 22 lets give him another full season or two. If he wants a huge contract then Stan is going to have to sit down and make a big boy decision.

IF his play was a big issue I think we would have seen Q move him down a line.

Hard to believe you could be giving up 5 goals a game and truly have a log jam at G and D
- vabeachbear

Log jam doesn't necessarily mean a bunch of quality players.

Alright, enough Saad talk.


What if the Hawks pulled an Orpik with Seabrook? Trade him and then have that team buy him out, allowing him to resign with the Hawks for cheap like the Capitals did.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...gning-brooks-orpik-buyout

Alright, enough Saad talk.


What if the Hawks pulled an Orpik with Seabrook? Trade him and then have that team buy him out, allowing him to resign with the Hawks for cheap like the Capitals did.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...gning-brooks-orpik-buyout
- ObeseOprah

Who's A) going to trade for him (who or what) and B) buy him out?

Orpik in aav and term is quite different. They threw Grubauer in as a sweetner. You are living in a dream.

Log jam doesn't necessarily mean a bunch of quality players.
- bhawks2241

Actually it kind of does, if they aren't quality, it isn't truly a logjam, cut or send down the worst ones, nothing lost.

Hawks need to bring in Jack Welch for a few weeks

Definitely Serious. It’s just him talking right now. Like any good agent, he heard him out and pointed out some obvious points. Saad is not in a good mood. Situation is not good.
- gifman

he ain't going anywhere accept maybe the pressbox for a game..

trade? who wants him...he has been bad for over a year...hawks can't afford to just dump him...

butz to him and his agent...get it going saad and all will be well...

Who's A) going to trade for him (who or what) and B) buy him out?

Orpik in aav and term is quite different. They threw Grubauer in as a sweetner. You are living in a dream.
- I Am The Breadman

It is absolutely a fantasy scenario, but not totally impossible. If they did it exactly the way Washington did, the league couldn't ding them on it. You'd have to toss in some sweeteners like they did but it could be worth it to save $5 a year for the next 6 years.

Then again we could've just not overpaid Anisimov, Rutta, Manning, Murphy, Ward and saved much more.

It is absolutely a fantasy scenario, but not totally impossible. If they did it exactly the way Washington did, the league couldn't ding them on it. You'd have to toss in some sweeteners like they did but it could be worth it to save $5 a year for the next 6 years.

Then again we could've just not overpaid Anisimov, Rutta, Manning, Murphy, Ward and saved much more.
- ObeseOprah

Murphy was a trade, not our signing. I'm an advocate for Anisimov, I don't think he's overpaid.

Other than that, I understand you.

saad has never had a great shot or been a sniper and not a screen guy; don't recall him getting alot of tip or deflection goals...not skilled at that

all his scoring comes from within 5-10 feet of the crease: rebounds, transition, scrums thats how he scores and he has been missing those or getting defended...

Smell a lot of skunks do ya.
- BetweenTheDots

Tons.

Actually it kind of does, if they aren't quality, it isn't truly a logjam, cut or send down the worst ones, nothing lost.

Hawks need to bring in Jack Welch for a few weeks
- vabeachbear

I think there are good log jams and bad log jams, in a few years there will be plenty of young, good d playing in hawk sweaters. Players are good at different things in diffetent situations. If you're bad, then you're bad. This is of course saying no trades happen, but we both know at some point they will. Then the goalie situation, if Berg isn't claimed and resigned, we could possibly have 4 good goalies, and they could be nhl ready in a couple of years. Forwards have a while until we are competitive, but I think we will be fine. Now, we are in the bad log jam boat.

I haven't really followed Nylander much but is he that much better then Schmaltz? Point production wise they appear to be pretty similar.

I know Schmaltz isn't the perfect 2C but for a team that really has not had one in the last decade I don't get all the negativity. I'd take him over Zus or Richards.

How many 2C are there in the league that put up around 60pts and bring creativity and speed up the middle? You have Kruger and Toews to take on the big bad centers of the West. Schmaltz is 22 lets give him another full season or two. If he wants a huge contract then Stan is going to have to sit down and make a big boy decision.

IF his play was a big issue I think we would have seen Q move him down a line.
- bhawks2241

I have no issues with Schmaltz only that I think he slots better as a W than a C. IMO a bonafide top 6 NHLer. What I like best is he takes to coaching both on an off the ice. If you saw him play jrs and then after his 2 yrs at North Dakota you wouldn't believe it was the same kid. ....... He worked hard on the defensive side of the puck and improved dramatically. If he shows that kind of improvement as a pro in his overall game, as you mention he's only 22, the kid could be special.

The kid will not engage physically, he just won't, and like Kaner I really don't want him to. He will win puck battles with speed, quickness and explosion and that's ok. ....That's not to say he should shy away from a dirty areas though.

If he ever starts to shoot more, as Edzo mentions, it will open up passing lanes for him making him even better in that area, which is scary good. IMO he has a good shot for what that's worth, his quick release making it a good one.

But IMO he doesn't have near the offensive upside that Nylander has.

saad has never had a great shot or been a sniper and not a screen guy; don't recall him getting alot of tip or deflection goals...not skilled at that

all his scoring comes from within 5-10 feet of the crease: rebounds, transition, scrums thats how he scores and he has been missing those or getting defended...
- bogiedoc

Agree. He doesn't have offensive instincts or hands IMO. His size and speed allow him to get those greasy goals as you mention. And as we know the Hawks have a dearth of players who can score greasy goals or even get to those areas.

Q ain't no dummy although from the peanut gallery I disagreed with 1,000 things he's done over his yrs here. I'm ok with the healthy scratch. Could be his practice habits as well, we just don't know. For now I'll defer to Q.

Looking at Q's comments today, looks like there's a chance that Saad actually plays tomorrow. Assuming it will be 4th line duty.

Let's see if he learned anything from him timeout.

You heard it hear first. Saad has talked to his agent about requesting a trade.
- gifman

I’m not buying it, Saad’s in no position to be requesting a trade.

Looking at Q's comments today, looks like there's a chance that Saad actually plays tomorrow. Assuming it will be 4th line duty.

Let's see if he learned anything from him timeout.
- Justin Lowe

Trying to appease the trade request?
Simply sending a message, know that the threat is there?

I’m not buying it, Saad’s in no position to be requesting a trade.
- walleyeb1

No offense to people who live in Edmonton, but im sure that's a place Saad doesn't want to live 9 months of the year

No offense to people who live in Edmonton, but im sure that's a place Saad doesn't want to live 9 months of the year
- BetweenTheDots

Is Edm his request? Or are there others where he wants to play?

Is Forsling cleared to play tomorrow?

Definitely Serious. It’s just him talking right now. Like any good agent, he heard him out and pointed out some obvious points. Saad is not in a good mood. Situation is not good.
- gifman

How reliable is this info and where did it come from?

Did you just soil yourself??
- dahawks8819

How bout no, Scott

Looking at Q's comments today, looks like there's a chance that Saad actually plays tomorrow. Assuming it will be 4th line duty.

Let's see if he learned anything from him timeout.
- Justin Lowe

Apparently he learned that he wants to be traded.

How bout no, Scott
- SimpleJack

I see what you did there!