Hey Everyone - I'm going to do a Friday Mailbag: NHL Trade Deadline edition.

Send me your Hawks TDL questions and I'll incorporate as many I can for Friday's blog.
- Justin Lowe

Mailbag Q's:

1) Which of the D do you think the Hawks are truly thinking about moving, and are they doing so with the expectation that one of the young guys coming up make the team next year or filling with an established player?

2) With all of the concentration on our defense being so bad, are the Hawks looking at forwards to help on that end?

3) Assuming that he is "fully" healthy, under what circumstance would the Hawks trade Crow (yes I know about his clause...).

Seems you are making a lot of assumptions about an 18 year old kid here. Why not though. The game is changing. A lot depends on if the forward group can play a modicum of team defense.

Its easy to push all the blame on the D-men, yes, they have their issues. However, this forward group does them no favors, either.
- Elbows15

Sorry - I'm saying if CHI is committed to Gustafsson and he stays, Bowman will lock him up for multiple years (let's say 4 yrs @ $5m per) after his current deal is up.

Not sure when Boqvist enters the scene but he is going to be an offensive minded defender. He could very well change his style but by all accounts he will be a rover style D, has been his whole career... very similar to Gustafsson's style (who is not going to improve much defensively at his age).

Some assumption there for sure but thinking long-term of the make up of the Hawks future blueline and just wondering who's actually going to be playing defense.

Technically there’s a universe where every possible outcome is happening, so yes there is. There’s even a universe where you and me are on the same NHL team.

Where did I learn this? Watching Rick and Morty.
- SimpleJack

Touche. Ha

Curious, what don't you like about Murphy's game?
- Chunk

That was a typo, I meant to say Murphy should return. I’m a fan of his game.

Seriously...what is with the whole fascination that Gus will be gone with everyone?

Choke on your Latte's but he is part of the solution.
- TrueGrit

I like Gus’ progress this year and I have no issues with his game. I accept that he’s on offensive d-man who will never be confused with Hjalmarsson for his play without the puck and he’s not being converted to forward.

I think Gus is gone for two reasons (since you asked so politely):

1. He’ll garner a big return - a cap friendly deal for a d-man who’s good for 40-50 points will be a hit commodity; and

2. Gus’ next contract will be his big money deal. Is Gus a $5 million (per) for 5 years type of defenseman? No, but on the open market some GM will pay it. $3/3 year, sure, sign me up.

Offense is not this team’s problem, defense is. Just look at the past two games as examples. Given the choice between a premier defensive d-man or Gus I’d go with the defensive d-man.

Well that was short lived. Avs beat Jets 7-1

Watching Rick and Morty.
- SimpleJack

The hawks are a top 10 scoring team, but lack top 9 forwards?

I get the obsession with building another olympic team, but that was an anomaly.

when does Kamph get back?
- TrueGrit

I'm not saying we need to go get Stone and Simmons or something like that and I actually made the point about us not getting back to the level of play we saw from 09-15 in a previous post. My point was that if, IMO, they could do two of these three moves it would help improve their top 9 overall instead of banking on five guys to be pretty much their entire offense night in and night out: add another LW and bump Cags down to a bottom six role, add a RW to bump Kahun or play 3RW, and/or upgrade 3C over AA. Not advocating trading AA as he's been a very solid player but he plays slow for the new NHL and if the team could add someone with more speed who is also defensively responsibly it would be great. I like Kampf a lot and I think he could maybe fit that role but if was our 4C it just improves the depth of this team that much more

Not sure if it was posted but Arizona re-signed Oesterle for 2 years at $1.4 million per.

Hey Everyone - I'm going to do a Friday Mailbag: NHL Trade Deadline edition.

Send me your Hawks TDL questions and I'll incorporate as many I can for Friday's blog.
- Justin Lowe

If the Hawks could get a young legit Top 4 D-man who's either still on their ELC or signed to a reasonable contract with term, would you trade our 1st Rd pick this year to help improve this teams chances at winning now rather than have to wait for someone to develop when Toews and Kane's play may be on the downside?

Bonus, if you would, who would you like the Hawks to target and does it matter if they are a eighty or lefty?

Sorry - I'm saying if CHI is committed to Gustafsson and he stays, Bowman will lock him up for multiple years (let's say 4 yrs @ $5m per) after his current deal is up.

Not sure when Boqvist enters the scene but he is going to be an offensive minded defender. He could very well change his style but by all accounts he will be a rover style D, has been his whole career... very similar to Gustafsson's style (who is not going to improve much defensively at his age).

Some assumption there for sure but thinking long-term of the make up of the Hawks future blueline and just wondering who's actually going to be playing defense.
- Justin Lowe

It's fair to wonder if the two could co-exist in the lineup at the same time considering their defensive deficiencies, but at the same time, are we just going to assume that this is how Gus will top out?

I'm not insinuating that he's got a sky-high ceiling like Boqvist or anything like that, but it's also going to be interesting to see what happens to his production BEYOND this season.

Logically speaking, it makes absolutely no sense for Boqvist to be on this roster next season. He's simply not ready and it would be a huge mistake to rush him. So for argument's sake, considering the trajectory at which Gus has grown each year he's been in the league, is it also fair to suppose that there's still another level that Gus can reach as well?

What if another summer learning JC's system and hopefully even a SMALL improvement defensively, and even more improvement offensively, could he hit the 60-70 point mark next year as a d-man? He's on pace for 53 now, and it's still his first FULL year at the NHL level.

Trading Gus would be foolish right now. His worth to the team far exceeds his worth to contenders. The team isn't barren of young talent, they don't need to maximize every possibility to land futures. They need to continue to develop guys that are already here. So that's why whether Gus vastly improves/regresses, I absolutely hold on to him as a lottery ticket for next season. If he explodes, he's going to make Stanley's life VERY interesting next year.

Not sure if it was posted but Arizona re-signed Oesterle for 2 years at $1.4 million per.
- DarthKane

Keep it

It's fair to wonder if the two could co-exist in the lineup at the same time considering their defensive deficiencies, but at the same time, are we just going to assume that this is how Gus will top out?

I'm not insinuating that he's got a sky-high ceiling like Boqvist or anything like that, but it's also going to be interesting to see what happens to his production BEYOND this season.

Logically speaking, it makes absolutely no sense for Boqvist to be on this roster next season. He's simply not ready and it would be a huge mistake to rush him. So for argument's sake, considering the trajectory at which Gus has grown each year he's been in the league, is it also fair to suppose that there's still another level that Gus can reach as well?

What if another summer learning JC's system and hopefully even a SMALL improvement defensively, and even more improvement offensively, could he hit the 60-70 point mark next year as a d-man? He's on pace for 53 now, and it's still his first FULL year at the NHL level.

Trading Gus would be foolish right now. His worth to the team far exceeds his worth to contenders. The team isn't barren of young talent, they don't need to maximize every possibility to land futures. They need to continue to develop guys that are already here. So that's why whether Gus vastly improves/regresses, I absolutely hold on to him as a lottery ticket for next season. If he explodes, he's going to make Stanley's life VERY interesting next year.
- TommyHawk

Agree that it would be better to make the decision on Magic Gus at the deadline next year. He is inexpensive for 2019-2020. Boqvist, Beaudin, and maybe Mitchell will have the year in Rockford so you can see what you have by that time.

Still have to move one of the current guys if Joki is coming up next year, and another one if a vet is acquired. That will be interesting, there are reasons to want to keep all of them but some have to go.

Same in Rockford, if you sign 3 or more prospects then 1 or 2 of the current ones have to go even after losing Snuggerud and Raddysh.

It's fair to wonder if the two could co-exist in the lineup at the same time considering their defensive deficiencies, but at the same time, are we just going to assume that this is how Gus will top out?

I'm not insinuating that he's got a sky-high ceiling like Boqvist or anything like that, but it's also going to be interesting to see what happens to his production BEYOND this season.

Logically speaking, it makes absolutely no sense for Boqvist to be on this roster next season. He's simply not ready and it would be a huge mistake to rush him. So for argument's sake, considering the trajectory at which Gus has grown each year he's been in the league, is it also fair to suppose that there's still another level that Gus can reach as well?

What if another summer learning JC's system and hopefully even a SMALL improvement defensively, and even more improvement offensively, could he hit the 60-70 point mark next year as a d-man? He's on pace for 53 now, and it's still his first FULL year at the NHL level.

Trading Gus would be foolish right now. His worth to the team far exceeds his worth to contenders. The team isn't barren of young talent, they don't need to maximize every possibility to land futures. They need to continue to develop guys that are already here. So that's why whether Gus vastly improves/regresses, I absolutely hold on to him as a lottery ticket for next season. If he explodes, he's going to make Stanley's life VERY interesting next year.
- TommyHawk

I generally agree, but we don't know that until we see the return. If Gus would net us a 1st and top prospect, I would have to think long and hard about it. Look what we got for Hartman last year. Yes, to this point Ejdsell has not been all that great, but he was a top prospect and we got a 1st as well.

I like Gus’ progress this year and I have no issues with his game. I accept that he’s on offensive d-man who will never be confused with Hjalmarsson for his play without the puck and he’s not being converted to forward.

I think Gus is gone for two reasons (since you asked so politely):

1. He’ll garner a big return - a cap friendly deal for a d-man who’s good for 40-50 points will be a hit commodity; and

2. Gus’ next contract will be his big money deal. Is Gus a $5 million (per) for 5 years type of defenseman? No, but on the open market some GM will pay it. $3/3 year, sure, sign me up.

Offense is not this team’s problem, defense is. Just look at the past two games as examples. Given the choice between a premier defensive d-man or Gus I’d go with the defensive d-man.
- DarthKane

i am on your band wagon...ya make the move...let someone else pay him; the hawks don't have the luxury of keeping a offensive (non) dman.

I generally agree, but we don't know that until we see the return. If Gus would net us a 1st and top prospect, I would have to think long and hard about it. Look what we got for Hartman last year. Yes, to this point Ejdsell has not been all that great, but he was a top prospect and we got a 1st as well.
- Chunk

I take that trade 10/10 times.

Hartman hasn't showed that he's amounted to anything more than a bottom-six role. Not saying he's not going to be an important piece, but getting a 1st round pick for that? You take that and run.

Not sure if it was posted but Arizona re-signed Oesterle for 2 years at $1.4 million per.
- DarthKane

AZ where former hawks go to get paid...

- kwolf68

Neil Diamond

Agree that it would be better to make the decision on Magic Gus at the deadline next year. He is inexpensive for 2019-2020. Boqvist, Beaudin, and maybe Mitchell will have the year in Rockford so you can see what you have by that time.

Still have to move one of the current guys if Joki is coming up next year, and another one if a vet is acquired. That will be interesting, there are reasons to want to keep all of them but some have to go.

Same in Rockford, if you sign 3 or more prospects then 1 or 2 of the current ones have to go even after losing Snuggerud and Raddysh.
- totem

From my perspective, I think Forsling and Dahlstrom are likely the two guys on the outside looking in. Dahlstrom got off to a nice start here, but his play has really tailed off lately. Forsling has been on the trade block since the day he got here from NY. Unless they drastically pick up their play the rest of the year, I think they're not on this team next season.

I can easily envision:

??? - Joki
Keith - Seabrook
Gus - Murphy
Koekkoek

Glad perlini is put but o hope we get someone else physical and stands up for teammates on the 4th line. Kunitz is just to old. Dahlstrom played his best hockey when he came up but he is back down to earth. He isnt physical enough to be a solid bottom pairing crease clearer. And cant skate or anything else to be good enough playing a different style. He's a real strong top 4 ahl dman to help develop talent.

Just an observation here of late. To me, Murphy really looks gassed the last couple of games. Any way to give the guy a game off to recharge his battery?

Not sure if it was posted but Arizona re-signed Oesterle for 2 years at $1.4 million per.
- DarthKane

A tad surprising but if he ironed out a few wrinkles even only somewhat...
That could be enough He fits well as an offensive skating contributor
I mean how else do you read his step up this season-'

Patrick Kane is an absolute beauty.

Patrick Kane is an absolute beauty.
- Blazed

As a Toronto fan, have you read/heard how the Leafs are going to be able to resign Marner AND Kapanen. I looked at the math and I don't see a path to make that work unless 3 or more roster players are moved off the roster.

I generally agree, but we don't know that until we see the return. If Gus would net us a 1st and top prospect, I would have to think long and hard about it. Look what we got for Hartman last year. Yes, to this point Ejdsell has not been all that great, but he was a top prospect and we got a 1st as well.
- Chunk

Agree with TommyHawk, I make that trade. To be precise, the Hartman trade netted Ejdsell and two draft picks who were cashed in for Beaudin and Kurashev. One has to think at least one of them will pan out as a contributing Hawks regular in the near future. My gut is Ejdsell isn't it.