I wouldn’t mind seeing Stan swing a deal for Kapanen. It might cost on of the D prospects but it could be worth it.
- DarthKane

I mean the Queafs HAVE to do something. They have Kap and Marner both due big raises and no cap room.

Stan should offer sheet Schmaltz.
- DarthKane

Stan’s breaking up with his BFF Chayka? Send Anisimov to his other buddy Bergevin in Montreal lol

Stan’s breaking up with his BFF Chayka? Send Anisimov to his other buddy Bergevin in Montreal lol
- EnzoD

What about Carolina? His first true love.

What about Carolina? His first true love.
- I Am The Breadman

They're taking Ward off of our hands once Crawford comes off the IR...

They're taking Ward off of our hands once Crawford comes off the IR...
- Slofire94

Hahahaha! Okay........

How does Forsling have more upside? Because it was deemed he was a steal in a trade? He doesn't do one thing well except shoot the puck and he never gets power play time. He's slow and weak and scared
- GPHawksfan

Maybe we have different definitions of upside. While I can agree that he still is a bit raw and has a growth curve to get through, he does have skills that if developed properly can help him reach his potential. Consistency is part of the formula as well as compete level.

That's where the upside is. It's just not realized yet. Will he ever get there? Possibly but possibly not. If he does hit, my guess is as a 4-5-6 defender. Not stellar at any one thing but reliable enough to play decently in all zones.

Maybe we have different definitions of upside. While I can agree that he still is a bit raw and has a growth curve to get through, he does have skills that if developed properly can help him reach his potential. Consistency is part of the formula as well as compete level.

That's where the upside is. It's just not realized yet. Will he ever get there? Possibly but possibly not. If he does hit, my guess is as a 4-5-6 defender. Not stellar at any one thing but reliable enough to play decently in all zones.
- AEL_Fox

Forsling for Kapanen

Stan’s breaking up with his BFF Chayka? Send Anisimov to his other buddy Bergevin in Montreal lol
- EnzoD

AA for Armia!

Forsling for Kapanen
- Assman22

Do it!

Forsling for Kapanen
- Assman22

I'd do that in a heartbeat. That's the advantage of blueline depth from the youngsters and prospects: you can trade a few of them to upgrade at other positions without necessarily hurting that depth.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Stan swing a deal for Kapanen. It might cost on of the D prospects but it could be worth it.
- DarthKane

If he offer sheeted him for just under $4.05M that only costs a 2nd round pick. Somebody will do it, might as well be Stan.

I might have to unsubscribe from R/hawks for a bit. The playoff hype is out of control. Getting downvoted to hell and attacked for suggesting we’re not a cup team.

I might have to unsubscribe from R/hawks for a bit. The playoff hype is out of control. Getting downvoted to hell and attacked for suggesting we’re not a cup team.
- ObeseOprah

I generally just lurk there. Rarely post because if you have a differing opinion its a gong show. However, it's comical to watch things unfold from time to time.

I dont know what’s worse, taking the time to go back that far, or getting it wrong after all of the effort.

Show me one post where I called out any of those individuals as soft players. Madden and Buff were gone after the 2010 season, so I couldn’t have commented on them that way.

The scheme became softer for sure, and they did amp it up in the playoffs during the cup years, but I find it frankly impossible to have suggested Hossa, Bolland, Bickell, or Saad ever played soft games during the halcyon years.
- Return of the Roar

Madden and Buff were highlighted but my comment excluded them from your team appraisal. I don't have it wrong at all unless someone was hijacking your account that season.

Not sure why you think I wasted any time or energy to go back either. You've been making the same claim about this team ever since I've been reading here, and while you may not have called out those players specifically, it's been your assertion pretty much all along. For sure with the '13 team...SOFT.

I just think it's funny how you can wax poetic at all about a team you agonized over that entire season and counted out before the playoffs began. Now somehow in hindsight, those guys were "nasty".

Only took you 6 years to figure it out but good on you for coming around. Cheers!

I might have to unsubscribe from R/hawks for a bit. The playoff hype is out of control. Getting downvoted to hell and attacked for suggesting we’re not a cup team.
- ObeseOprah

The Hawks aren't a cup contender. They are a playoff contender. Some posters don't know the difference or believe the absurd theory that "if you make the playoffs, anything can happen".

Madden and Buff were highlighted but my comment excluded them from your team appraisal. I don't have it wrong at all unless someone was hijacking your account that season.

Not sure why you think I wasted any time or energy to go back either. You've been making pretty much the same claim about this team ever since I've been reading here, and while you may not have called out those players specifically, it's been your assertion pretty much all along. For sure with the '13 team...SOFT.

I just think it's funny how you can wax poetic at all about a team you agonized over that entire season and counted out before the playoffs began. Now somehow in hindsight, those guys were "nasty".
- HawkintheD

There are a few posters who like to change their narrative just to create an argument. I have always likened them to the Monty Python sketch where they argue just for the sake of arguing. You know the type. In the non cyber world, you avoid them at all costs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1gf957Qw7A

Tough break for Chota and Koivu.

Do the math folks, now both wild cards will be up for grabs in the West.

The hawks have as good a chance as any one outside of top 3 in each division.
- TrueGrit

Game tonight is now so important. Beat the Canucks and you’re 1 point out of a playoff slot...

Agree with folks here that this team is a playoff contender, not a cup contender. The moves Stan made to add Strome and Caggiula, Murphy coming back strong and Dahlstrom playing quietly solid D plus a red hot PP and Kane / Toews back to being well, Kane and Toews, have changed things radically. Start of the season I said and believed they had no shot. Now they really do.

Not sure that backing in to a play off spot and exiting early is the best thing for this team. Really hope they don’t become buyers. Can see Stan sitting on his hands unless and until something breaks one way or another ahead of the TDL tho.

They're taking Ward off of our hands once Crawford comes off the IR...
- Slofire94

Darling for AA

Game tonight is now so important. Beat the Canucks and you’re 1 point out of a playoff slot...

Agree with folks here that this team is a playoff contender, not a cup contender. The moves Stan made to add Strome and Caggiula, Murphy coming back strong and Dahlstrom playing quietly solid D plus a red hot PP and Kane / Toews back to being well, Kane and Toews, have changed things radically. Start of the season I said and believed they had no shot. Now they really do.

Not sure that backing in to a play off spot and exiting early is the best thing for this team. Really hope they don’t become buyers. Can see Stan sitting on his hands unless and until something breaks one way or another ahead of the TDL tho.
- Marlowe

Despite the public position, I think they know where there at in terms of actually competing for a Cup. I don't see them trading any futures for short term retreads so they can just make the playoffs.

I could still see Kruger and Kunitz being flipped for picks and if there's a trade it would likely be a hockey one. Could be wrong, so don't make a liar out of me Stan.

Game tonight is now so important. Beat the Canucks and you’re 1 point out of a playoff slot...

Agree with folks here that this team is a playoff contender, not a cup contender. The moves Stan made to add Strome and Caggiula, Murphy coming back strong and Dahlstrom playing quietly solid D plus a red hot PP and Kane / Toews back to being well, Kane and Toews, have changed things radically. Start of the season I said and believed they had no shot. Now they really do.

Not sure that backing in to a play off spot and exiting early is the best thing for this team. Really hope they don’t become buyers. Can see Stan sitting on his hands unless and until something breaks one way or another ahead of the TDL tho.
- Marlowe

Agree, the last thing I want to see is picking up older players for a "playoff run". I have no problem if they were to trade for or acquire younger talent like they have been. But under no circumstance do i want to see the team moving prospects or draft picks.

All that said I much prefer seeing the team compete and play relatively well even at the cost of a better draft position. Competing and trying to get better bodes well for the future team culture I think.

If Brian Boyle can get a 2nd, then Anisimov should be able to get at least that. Really, that's the only trade I'd make, unless someone wanted Kunitz or Kruger.

I say just let the team roll. If they fall into the abyss in the next couple weeks, TRY to sell, but if they remain in, let the group take it to the end, win or lose. Absolutely DO NOT trade futures for a "one year shot".

Stan has had a good year w/ moves but I always worry the Ghost of Rundblad or Kimo will resurface.

Despite the public position, I think they know where there at in terms of actually competing for a Cup. I don't see them trading any futures for short term retreads so they can just make the playoffs.

I could still see Kruger and Kunitz being flipped for picks and if there's a trade it would likely be a hockey one. Could be wrong, so don't make a liar out of me Stan.
- HawkintheD

Your lips to God’s (and I don’t mean John McD - or maybe I do?) ears! I think there’s a benefit to watching the roll here and then making some strategic (ie long term) moves.

You are correct. That is why they would have a tough time with Boston and especially Tampa, who have as much or more speed and skill up front. Hedman, McDonough, Stralman as top 3 with Girardi as a PK/Shutdown Sergachev, another evolving star. Plus Cernak, big bodied beast who can skate, think Parayko with a little less offensively and depth with Braden Coburn...another big guy.

Nobody in the NHL matches up with that blue line. Yes San Jose has some offensive skill, but do not believe they have that depth.
- TrueGrit

The Leafs situation reminds me of the Hawks of the 80s...Savard & company. That was a really, really good team. BUT, had to get through the dynasty Oilers in the West. Hawks had lots of skill. Good goaltending. And were probably among the top 3-4 teams in the entire league for a good 5-7 year stretch.
The Leafs will have to get by Tampa these next 5-7 years. It is a very similar situation. Leafs are among the top 3-4-5 teams in the entire league, but may go many years and not even get out of the East.
Kinda make you wish for a 1 vs 16 type format where anybody can meet anybody, and the Cup could be west vs west or east vs east. BUT, we will never see that so not worth mentioning (although I just did...lol).

Leafs will have quite the challenge to break their Cup drought, especially when the new contracts of Marner and Matthews are in full effect. Gonna be a really good team....but, will they be good ENOUGH!

If Brian Boyle can get a 2nd, then Anisimov should be able to get at least that. Really, that's the only trade I'd make, unless someone wanted Kunitz or Kruger.

I say just let the team roll. If they fall into the abyss in the next couple weeks, TRY to sell, but if they remain in, let the group take it to the end, win or lose. Absolutely DO NOT trade futures for a "one year shot".

Stan has had a good year w/ moves but I always worry the Ghost of Rundblad or Kimo will resurface.
- kwolf68

Any thought about AA to MIN with Koivu going down for the season? Or is that completely unrealistic given AAs NTC and potential value to MIN?

I might have to unsubscribe from R/hawks for a bit. The playoff hype is out of control. Getting downvoted to hell and attacked for suggesting we’re not a cup team.
- ObeseOprah

No one attacked you. You posed a question, people answered honestly, and now you're hurt. People can have different opinions. Downvoted? You are taking a stance that is a minority opinion around here. You couldn't even answer how to tank. You just said do something crazy.