Really? I guess he thinks they're not sellers. If it's true he needs to go, but i believe this is more of a political statement, this front office has become a joke
- BetweenTheDots

If you read the whole article it is just semantics. It's the same as when McD said we want to "re-win" instead of rebuild. It's just putting glitter on a pig. He said what you should expect a good GM to say - if there is a good move out there that moves us further in the direction we want/need to go we will make it.

Aside from the irritating wording, I have no issue with what he said.

Really? I guess he thinks they're not sellers. If it's true he needs to go, but i believe this is more of a political statement, this front office has become a joke
- BetweenTheDots

Think Stan is saying they'd prefer to reload rather than rebuild. Take on young near-ready prospects rather than picks. Puljujarvi would fit this description. Be nice to get a bidding war for Keith between EDM and TOR

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?
- LAHawk

You're asking the wrong guy. I've never been a Q guy.

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

Nah. Strome is a Q guy. Really heady, digs in the corners, would have been a good fit. The young guys that Q didnt play have done a whole lot of nothing elsewhere.

As nice as it is to see them win some games and look good out there, I'm still hoping to finish in dead last or second last. Getting one of the top four forwards available in this draft is the best outcome of this season possible.

I think the third line is very pivotal in the success of this team. If you notice, as the game wears on, minutes on the third line and the fourth line decline. Debrinkat on the third line is fine, but he needs to be out there more at even strength. He would thrive more with a playmaking center, which Kampf is not. Kampf appears to be a good 4th line center, gives you a little bit of everything. Check the minutes played the past few games and the minutes of the players on the third and fourth line is quite a bit less than the other two. If the Hawks could roll out four lines throughout the course of the game, think they would be more successful
- chuckdahammer

I would have to agree: the 3rd line is the pivotal one to ensure the team can roll 4 lines. Although improving, the Hawks have been rolling two 4th lines much of the season.

Although Colliton loves Kampf and plays him like a middle 6 center, he is a 4C who should only play up whenever there are injuries. If he moves to 4C and Anisimov is the default 3C unless he is upgraded at the TDL or this summer.

Next season:

Saad - Toews - RW
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Kahun - Anisimov - Sikura
Perlini - Kampf - Caggiula

The bolded are players who could be upgraded if someone better is attainable. Perlini could possibly play 3rd line.

Obviously, a top 6 winger is needed. Solidifying the bottom 6 is crucial as well but some pieces in place as building blocks and options.

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

I have been pushing for a Keith trade for some time. He has the most value, will return the most to accelerate the rebuild. and open up a spot for one of the upcoming defenseman. Yes his absence will leave a hole in the top pairing, but I am writing off this season and probably next as well.

Unfortunately this is an Eklund rumor so it it won't happen.

As nice as it is to see them win some games and look good out there, I'm still hoping to finish in dead last or second last. Getting one of the top four forwards available in this draft is the best outcome of this season possible.
- ObeseOprah

I want Kaapo Kakko on this team..

As nice as it is to see them win some games and look good out there, I'm still hoping to finish in dead last or second last. Getting one of the top four forwards available in this draft is the best outcome of this season possible.
- ObeseOprah

As I said recently elsewhere, the draft, even at the top, is enough of a crapshoot that I really don’t get too caught up in what their record ends up being the rest of the season. The more important thing is that the right players are playing, in all situations, and that the right players are sitting. Beyond that, you can hope all you want for a savior to come via next year’s draft, but nothing is guaranteed. Just ask Edmonton.

Keith for Klefbom and first would be cool. Yes I know he's injured but LHD cost controlled for next few years. Under 30. Works money wise.

I want Kaapo Kakko on this team..
- RedRevenge

There's a few guys at the top of the draft I'd love to have on this team including him

As I said recently elsewhere, the draft, even at the top, is enough of a crapshoot that I really don’t get too caught up in what their record ends up being the rest of the season. The more important thing is that the right players are playing, in all situations, and that the right players are sitting. Beyond that, you can hope all you want for a savior to come via next year’s draft, but nothing is guaranteed. Just ask Edmonton.
- Ogilthorpe2

I mean sure, the draft is a crapshoot. But the guys drafted 1-4 are usually more of 'sure thing' than guys 5-10.

Getting an Eichel, Hischier, or Laine is better than a Zacha, Dal Colle, or Virtanen. Your odds of getting a big impact player drop off precipitously after the first three picks in my opinion. Every draft is different of course, but I'd love a crack at Kakko, Hughes, Podkolzin, or Cozens.

I would have to agree: the 3rd line is the pivotal one to ensure the team can roll 4 lines. Although improving, the Hawks have been rolling two 4th lines much of the season.

Although Colliton loves Kampf and plays him like a middle 6 center, he is a 4C who should only play up whenever there are injuries. If he moves to 4C and Anisimov is the default 3C unless he is upgraded at the TDL or this summer.

Next season:

Saad - Toews - RW
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Kahun - Anisimov - Sikura
Perlini - Kampf - Caggiula

The bolded are players who could be upgraded if someone better is attainable. Perlini could possibly play 3rd line.

Obviously, a top 6 winger is needed. Solidifying the bottom 6 is crucial as well but some pieces in place as building blocks and options.
- AEL_Fox

Problem is Saad is playing, for the second season in a row, like a 2/3rd line forward. He is on pace for 45 pts or so. That isn't going to get it done. Toews is having a solid bounce back season despite dragging Saad's corpse around most of the time.

Last 10 games Saad has 2g and 1 ast.

I can't see how a Keith trade to EDM works. First, EDM doesn't have any Cap space left which means the Hawks would either have to take back the same Cap hit or retain salary and take back a smaller Cap hit. The only player on EDM with a Cap hit that would work is Lucic and hopefully that doesn't happen. Retaining salary means the Hawks would be saddled with that retained salary against their Cap for all remaining years of Keith's salary which is through 2022-23.

EDM has their top-4 d-men in Nurse, Klefbom, Larsson and Russell. Klefbom is on IR and is supposed to be out until sometime in February so although Keith could step into his LD role it would only need to be for a month or so. If Chia was looking for a long term solution why would he have just made two trades for short term solutions by acquiring Petrovik and Manning.

By the way - Kahun has played 44 games and has 6 goals, 11 assists for 17 points and Strome has played 20 games and has 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. I think Strome is doing OK.

As I said recently elsewhere, the draft, even at the top, is enough of a crapshoot that I really don’t get too caught up in what their record ends up being the rest of the season. The more important thing is that the right players are playing, in all situations, and that the right players are sitting. Beyond that, you can hope all you want for a savior to come via next year’s draft, but nothing is guaranteed. Just ask Edmonton.
- Ogilthorpe2

Preach! In all likelihood, the draftees will take 1-3 years to be ready for the show anyway. There are what, 3-4 2018 draftees that are playing right now? You can argue that Tkachuk is the most effective right now with 20 pts in 32 games. Keep building positive results at the NHL level.

As I said recently elsewhere, the draft, even at the top, is enough of a crapshoot that I really don’t get too caught up in what their record ends up being the rest of the season. The more important thing is that the right players are playing, in all situations, and that the right players are sitting. Beyond that, you can hope all you want for a savior to come via next year’s draft, but nothing is guaranteed. Just ask Edmonton.
- Ogilthorpe2

A similar factor is that placing dead last does not guarantee the #1 pick. There's still the lottery. Still a chance for the Hawks or any team placing in the bottom 7 or however many lottery balls there are.

Can't go wrong with either Hughes or Kakko so that increases your chances of drafting someone great (2 potential balls to gun for versus 1). Those chances go up slightly when you factor in the top 5 is pretty good. Cozens, Podkolzin, and Dach may be a notch below Hughes and Kakko but they're still going to be pretty good.

Maybe he doesn't want to say that they are sellers? If he said they were sellers and anyone could be had including Kane, the mouth breathers on here would poop their pants
- GPHawksfan

Just like there is coach speak, there is GM speak. When was the last time you heard a GM quoted as saying "We're open for business."?

Problem is Saad is playing, for the second season in a row, like a 2/3rd line forward. He is on pace for 45 pts or so. That isn't going to get it done. Toews is having a solid bounce back season despite dragging Saad's corpse around most of the time.

Last 10 games Saad has 2g and 1 ast.
- bhawks2241

Nice writeup.


Saad looks like he's on drugs.
Duncan Keith finally scored a goal.
Duncan Keith finally had a shot on goal.
Kunitz was in the lineup only because of being back in Pitt. The irony that he scored.
The pp was quite good.
The goal post jokes during the telecast were not funny.
Why do the Hawks keep beating the Penguins?
Stan getting rid of the misfits.
Would they considering resigning Kruger back next season for half of what he makes now? 2-3 year deal for 1.5-2mm per year? Then we'd be ok with his contract. Toews and him playing together on the PK makes sense.
I miss Hossa
2020 playoffs!

Just like there is coach speak, there is GM speak. When was the last time you heard a GM quoted as saying "We're open for business."?
- HawkintheD

The Rangers when they hired their new GM, and sent the letter to the Season ticket holders.

Just like there is coach speak, there is GM speak. When was the last time you heard a GM quoted as saying "We're open for business."?
- HawkintheD

The Marlins seem to have a fire sale every 4-5 years

Just like there is coach speak, there is GM speak. When was the last time you heard a GM quoted as saying "We're open for business."?
- HawkintheD

Not to mention, what he has to sell as rentals consists of the following:

Ward
Rutta
Kunitz
Kruger
Davidson

Woof.

The Rangers when they hired their new GM, and sent the letter to the Season ticket holders.
- LAHawk

Yes, I actually thought that was a great move by their organization.

In the Hawks defense, when I met with my season ticket rep at a game a couple weeks ago he said 'it's a down year, we're going to retool/rebuild and be back in it as soon as possible, hopefully next year'.

I can't see how a Keith trade to EDM works. First, EDM doesn't have any Cap space left which means the Hawks would either have to take back the same Cap hit or retain salary and take back a smaller Cap hit. The only player on EDM with a Cap hit that would work is Lucic and hopefully that doesn't happen. Retaining salary means the Hawks would be saddled with that retained salary against their Cap for all remaining years of Keith's salary which is through 2022-23.

EDM has their top-4 d-men in Nurse, Klefbom, Larsson and Russell. Klefbom is on IR and is supposed to be out until sometime in February so although Keith could step into his LD role it would only need to be for a month or so. If Chia was looking for a long term solution why would he have just made two trades for short term solutions by acquiring Petrovik and Manning.

By the way - Kahun has played 44 games and has 6 goals, 11 assists for 17 points and Strome has played 20 games and has 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points. I think Strome is doing OK.
- EbonyRaptor

Yep agreed, EK bullpoop spewing as always. TOR, PEG, and VAN all have space.

Problem is Saad is playing, for the second season in a row, like a 2/3rd line forward. He is on pace for 45 pts or so. That isn't going to get it done. Toews is having a solid bounce back season despite dragging Saad's corpse around most of the time.

Last 10 games Saad has 2g and 1 ast.
- bhawks2241

Good point. When he's on, though, Saad plays like a top line winger.

That said, I am not married to the idea that Toews and Saad are a package and they may actually do well apart. How about this:

LW - Toews - Sikura/Kahun
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Saad - Anisimov - Sikura/Kahun
Perlini - Kampf - Caggiula

Again, the bolded are players who could be upgraded if someone better is attainable.

Another scenario is retaining only one of Sikura and Kahun, then have get a UFA winger (i.e. Stone) and hopefully draft an NHL ready #1 pick:

Sikura/Kahun - Toews - Stone
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Saad - Anisimov - #1 Pick
Perlini - Kampf - Caggiula

The thing with that is most (maybe all?) of the top 10 forwards are RWs or centers who have RW as their secondary position. This would also necessitate Sikura or Kahun to play LW.

Keith for Klefbom and first would be cool. Yes I know he's injured but LHD cost controlled for next few years. Under 30. Works money wise.
- fattybeef

If Stan can get Klefbom back in a trade for Keith he should immediately be forgiven for all past mistakes.