I would rather have Kunitz be the 13th forward than someone who would benefit more from playing in Rockford than sitting in the press box.

Saad - Toews - Kahun
AA - Strome - Kane
ADB - Kampf - Perlini
Kunitz/Hayden - Kruger - Caggiula

My guess is that they are showcasing AA. If they move AA than ADB slides up to Strome's line. Then Perlini moves to LW and Cagg's move to RW with Kampf. 4th line becomes Kunitz, Kruger and Hayden.
- -Doh-

I think you're right, but TBH I'd be surprised if AA gets traded before the Deadline. Seems to me like its more likely that he gets dealt on or after July 1st once his bonus is paid out, bu if a team is convinced they need to add a guy like AA as a 3rd line, PK, kinda guy for their Playoff run and we can get en expiring contract and a draft pick (or just a draft pick) for him then go for it and clear cap space and give guys a shot to show what they can do. Keep the line moving forward

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

Justin, just curious. Why do we feel Keith will net some huge return? If he was worth a huge return still, why would we be trading him, ya know?

Friedman: Schlemko (MON) on waivers. All cleared from yesterday

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

And what are you hearing on the topic.....?

I'm sure it makes sense on some level. The return would be interesting if EDM is intent on not tanking, I would guess it would be for picks/prospects? They've only got about $2M in cap space right now.

Friedman: Schlemko (MON) on waivers. All cleared from yesterday
- walleyeb1

Sign him! We should have signed him a couple years ago!

I thought Krugs was the center ... my bad. Normally, no, I don't like Krugs on the wing, but it was a good line. I think Krugs can be dealt at the deadline, Arty over the summer. I could be wrong.
- I Am The Breadman

Kruger did play center last night. Caggiula took a few faceoffs but that's it

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

Well, that virtually guarantees that’s not happening.

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

McJesus?

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

Curiouser and curiouser. Right after I mention he seemed to be getting along with JC. I don't know how much credence to put into this.....

Kruger did play center last night. Caggiula took a few faceoffs but that's it
- GPHawksfan

Okay, thanks. I heard Caggiula wasn't too good at the dot.

Curiouser and curiouser. Right after I mention he seemed to be getting along with JC. I don't know how much credence to put into this.....
- I Am The Breadman

None.

Thank you for those who corrected me on the timing of DeBrincat's next contract. The serious question begs: how much value will he have with his "plus" shot and not a ton of other aspects of his game that are showing up? Think the Hawks will re-up him early, move him, or do a "wait and see" like they did (wisely) with Schmaltz?
- phantasmo

Why would you want to trade a guy who has the potential to score 30 goals+ and score 60+ points year in and year out? Those type of players are hard to come by. (Other than Toews and Kane the Hawks have had Sharp and Panarin). ADB also has a very high hockey IQ and does not shy away from contact. He is no fluke.

None.
- walleyeb1

Hahaha, okay, thanks.

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

If Keith complained after Q left, that the NHL is not a developmental league I find it difficult to believe he would want to mentor the young crew up in EDM.

If Keith complained after Q left, that the NHL is not a developmental league I find it difficult to believe he would want to mentor the young crew up in EDM.
- Rota's Rooter

The words Keith and mentor shouldn't be in the same sentence. Seabrook sure, but not Keith.

Or Panarin
- SoftServe

Seabs seems like the safest choice to stay, regardless of how many want him gone

Powers:

SP: Could you become sellers at the trade deadline?

Bowman: I don’t know if I’d characterize it that way. I don’t know if we were looking at it as being sellers last year.

Another excerpt:

But we could realistically make a trade for a guy that’s going to come in now and take on a bigger role in a year or two. It doesn’t always have to be a seller-type move. It could be, but it’s not limited to that.

I think Q would have played Strome a game or two, destroyed is confidence, and then never played him again forcing Bowman to trade Strome at the deadline to a playoff bound team getting zip in return.
- StutzBlackhawk

That might not have been a bad thing. Pretty sure I would have put some money down in Vegas in the team he was traded to to win the cup. That aside, I totally agree with you assessment of how Q would have handled him. I think we got a keeper in Strome.

Well, that virtually guarantees that’s not happening.
- walleyeb1

That and Stan would either have to retain this season's salary for Keith or Hawks would have to take back salary. Oilers up against the cap. Keith/Seabs for Lucic and a pick?!

Eklund is reporting in his main article right now:

Hitch has interest in bringing Duncan Keith to Edmonton...

This is an interesting one...The Oilers are sliding and Chiarelli and Hitch are looking to be aggressive and bring in some solid help on the backend...Keith is older, but could be the player who sells Hitch's system to the players while mentoring the young D. Edmonton is not going to sit idly by this year and just go into the night quietly...

I have not heard this specifically, but know have mentioned the Keith and Seabs whispers.

The return would have to be solid.
- Justin Lowe

Realistically, What do the Oilers have to give up of value that you would want. Obviously a big NO to Lucic.

Obtainable assets:
1st round pick - 2019
Puljujarvi
Bouchard


Anyone else in that organization/system excite you?

I like your optimism Justin. This is still a young team and with this comes inconsistent play. They are 2 teams right now, the one i enjoy watching which is physical, they go to the tough areas, take a hit to make a play then there's the other team that avoids contact, plays along the boards and watches the opponent on front of the goalie. Murphy is better in this system but fast forwards really give him trouble. Seabrook is a pylon, Keith doesn't like JCs tie up the dman in front of the goalie strategy.
- BetweenTheDots

No. John Scott was a pylon. Brandon Manning was a pylon. Trevor Dailey was a pylon.

The Seabrook bashing group think on this site has moved past being ridiculous and is now just downright laughable.

Overpaid for his current level of play? No question.
Level of play fallen off dramatically? For sure.

Even though the on ice productivity no longer is worthy of the current cap hit and especially considering the years remaining on it, Seabrook is still an above average NHL D man.

Realistically, What do the Oilers have to give up of value that you would want. Obviously a big NO to Lucic.

Obtainable assets:
1st round pick - 2019
Puljujarvi
Bouchard


Anyone else in that organization/system excite you?
- TheTrob

They would not give up Bouchard.

That and Stan would either have to retain this season's salary for Keith or Hawks would have to take back salary. Oilers up against the cap. Keith/Seabs for Lucic and a pick?!

- Assman22

Oil has $2.3 cap hit left. Keith would cost 50% of his cap hit this season as of now so around $2.7

I get the feeling that SB did not have full control on that contract. That seemed more like a grandstanding than a normal contract signing. A Sammy Sosa like grandstanding.

All the mucky mucks took a lot of bows over the last decade, and the higher they are the more bows they took. But after getting humbled the last couple of years maybe all that bullpoop will stop. Perhaps they figured out that it's a bit tougher than it looks and from now on the marketing end will let the hockey end just do their thing. That would obviously be a good thing, and it's about time. All they ever had to do was let hockey be the priority, and not all the other stuff. If the hockey is good everything else will be a breeze. Even with the ridiculous ticket and concession prices the building will still be a place to be.
- 6628

If Q reportedly walked out of the room when he found out Hjamerlson was traded, what do you think his reaction would of been if they traded Seabrook when his contract was expiring, and the Hawks were just coming off the third cup?

Edmonton has not been playing well. But like Colliton, you need to give him some time to transition. I am not a Hitch fan, But I think this team will be better in the coming weeks.

Plusses on Keith
Low cap hit
Cost controlled for 4 more years.
veteran, with a ton of playoff experience
good health
Maybe not as fast as a few years ago, but still decent speed
Good passer from Dzone or center ice
Can play 20+ minutes on your first or 2nd pairing, and should be able to for the next 4 years.
Actual Salary $3.5 mil next year, then 2.65mil, then 2.1mil, then $1.5mil.
Conn Smyth winner just 3 years ago
Might be rejuvenated with a new playoff team.

You have to get a #1 pick (probably late 1st round from a contender), an "A" level NHL ready prospect, plus something significant (2nd round pick or prospect).