This stupidity of debating what organization people say has turned this board into Jerry Springer world.

Someone find me a quote from any team at any time declaring they have no expectation of making playoffs/winning championships? Does not exist.

Indignant fans whining like entitled children is an embarrassment.

Worse than publicly reacting to what management says is blatantly ignoring the reality of where the team is today. 2 or 4 points out of a playoff spot. Holy effen ship!!!!

The fact that people are surprised by what they hear and confused by it clearly demonstrates a clear lack of understanding of how pro sports operate.

Take a step back and think about it.
- TrueGrit

THIS

All is quiet. Assuming their is a lot going on behind the scenes and with these recent moves, other teams are pivoting and moving to plan b.

I don't see the Hawks reacting to any moves from their competitors in the race with them (ie. DAL landing Zucarello).
- Justin Lowe

Ok thanks

I like the Jackets, strong down the middle and can play physical. I think they could use another Dman. Torts has to be a happy man right now.
- RickJ

Do you think Torts is gunna send Duclair a Christmas Card? LOL

What other defenseman are on the trade block?

I have never said Q sucks ,but his feud with the Bowman's color his judgment on players . Duclair was 2nd line on CLB and just used to acquirer Dzingle .
- oldduffman

Duclair still in the league. Q?

Just kidding everyone relax...

Don’t misquote Rick...I told our visiting delusional Leaf fan I wasn’t rooting against the Leafs and I enjoy watching their dynamic offense only playing style. Columbus just loaded up big time with Dzingel and Duchene. If Bobrovsky doesn’t choke again, they could make a deep run this spring.
- EnzoD

That is indeed what you told the Leaf guy - who was a reasonable and polite (perhaps naive) visitor.

Will the Leafs fans turn into Red Sox fans if they win the Cup? Or are they already?

Eklund is reporting that Edmonton is chatting to teams about Kris Russell.

Not advocating for the Hawks to acquire him but he could really help a playoff team if put in the right position.

He reminds me a lot of Johnny Oduya's situation right before he was moved to the Hawks. Not exactly the same player and does have similarities like great skating/mobility, blocks shots (one of the better ones in the league) and is a gamer.

Would be an underrated pick up by a team IMO.

Eklund is reporting that Edmonton is chatting to teams about Kris Russell.

Not advocating for the Hawks to acquire him but he could really help a playoff team if put in the right position.

He reminds me a lot of Johnny Oduya's situation right before he was moved to the Hawks. Not exactly the same player and does have similarities like great skating/mobility, blocks shots (one of the better ones in the league) and is a gamer.

Would be an underrated pick up by a team IMO.
- Justin Lowe

Thought the same thing 3 minutes ago. Experienced defensemen. Blocks shots.

That is indeed what you told the Leaf guy - who was a reasonable and polite (perhaps naive) visitor.

Will the Leafs fans turn into Red Sox fans if they win the Cup? Or are they already?
- mohel

He seemed like a nice fellow, just blinded by Leafs media spin in regard to what Marner and Kapanen will sign for and what Kadri/ Nylander will return in a likely cap dump trade this summer.

Have to say I can't remember a deadline where the majority of the floodgates opened up just days before the actual deadline. Duche really did open the floodgates...remember seeing EK say that just recently...hmm...

Eklund is reporting that Edmonton is chatting to teams about Kris Russell.

Not advocating for the Hawks to acquire him but he could really help a playoff team if put in the right position.

He reminds me a lot of Johnny Oduya's situation right before he was moved to the Hawks. Not exactly the same player and does have similarities like great skating/mobility, blocks shots (one of the better ones in the league) and is a gamer.

Would be an underrated pick up by a team IMO.
- Justin Lowe

Is he a LHD or RHD? Depending on the price might be a solid low end pickup. Even more so if they could pry Jesse Puljujarvi or another buy low high ceiling talent for a Forsling/Sikura like package

Do you think Torts is gunna send Duclair a Christmas Card? LOL

What other defenseman are on the trade block?
- EnzoD

Torts actually like Duclair but when he realized his Hockey IQ is 1 above lettuce it was time to cut ties.

Dmen available - how about Forsling or Dahlstrom?

Torts actually like Duclair but when he realized his Hockey IQ is 1 above lettuce it was time to cut ties.

Dmen available - how about Forsling or Dahlstrom?
- RickJ

I just wonder if the Columbus GM got some kind of dialogue from Duchenne And Dzingels agents that they are interested in signing in Columbus prior to July 1.
My take is he’s covering his ass and has a sweet deal lined up for Panerin and Bob Before the deadline or he is like most are saying going all out with knowing that both those guys are gone and at least he has a shot to sign these other two guys thinking maybe they will like in Columbus

Is he a LHD or RHD? Depending on the price might be a solid low end pickup. Even more so if they could pry Jesse Puljujarvi or another buy low high ceiling talent for a Forsling/Sikura like package
- Savetheembers33

Russell is a Left Shot D. Does anyone know what injury that Jesse Pool-Party is dealing with/contemplating season ending surgery? Meniscus? Shoulder? Hernia?

He seemed like a nice fellow, just blinded by Leafs media spin in regard to what Marner and Kapanen will sign for and what Kadri/ Nylander will return in a likely cap dump trade this summer.
- EnzoD

I think that's the same thing most teams do. I know we all remember being super confident that our cap crunch trades would net us HR return and it didn't turn out that way. Some will blame Bowman for that but not many other teams are looking to help out the top teams especially when their backs are against the wall

All is quiet. Assuming their is a lot going on behind the scenes and with these recent moves, other teams are pivoting and moving to plan b.

I don't see the Hawks reacting to any moves from their competitors in the race with them (ie. DAL landing Zucarello).
- Justin Lowe

Ho-Sang will be a great pick-up!

I just wonder if the Columbus GM got some kind of dialogue from Duchenne And Dzingels agents that they are interested in signing in Columbus prior to July 1.
My take is he’s covering his ass and has a sweet deal lined up for Panerin and Bob Before the deadline or he is like most are saying going all out with knowing that both those guys are gone and at least he has a shot to sign these other two guys thinking maybe they will like in Columbus
- wonthecup10

Honestly feel like its the opposite. If they want any shot at resigning Panarin this summer they need to show him that they're gonna do what it takes to win and add more talent. Plus they could always use the fail safe of resigning Duche Dzingle if he walks

Eklund is reporting that Edmonton is chatting to teams about Kris Russell.

Not advocating for the Hawks to acquire him but he could really help a playoff team if put in the right position.

He reminds me a lot of Johnny Oduya's situation right before he was moved to the Hawks. Not exactly the same player and does have similarities like great skating/mobility, blocks shots (one of the better ones in the league) and is a gamer.

Would be an underrated pick up by a team IMO.
- Justin Lowe

What would we give up for him?

Forsling? Dahlstrom?

Russell is a Left Shot D. Does anyone know what injury that Jesse Pool-Party is dealing with/contemplating season ending surgery? Meniscus? Shoulder? Hernia?
- EnzoD

Thought so. Fits the bill of what the team needs LHD with a defensive minded game

Not since the report he was getting a second opinion but even if he's done I'd take him as a sweetener for helping them clear some cap for next year

I have never said Q sucks ,but his feud with the Bowman's color his judgment on players . Duclair was 2nd line on CLB and just used to acquirer Dzingle .
- oldduffman

Where - other than JJ (who makes stuff up, apparently) - did you hear this garbage? Duclair has been absolutely awful in Columbus, you knew that, right? This is absolutely becoming the Land of Fairly Tales.

Stone is going to bring Ottawa a Kings ransom. I can see Calgary, Winnipeg and Nashville bidding for him.

“The Dallas Stars have acquired Mats Zuccarello to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a conditional 2nd round pick and a conditional 3rd round pick.

The Rangers will also retain 30% (1.35 million) of Zuccarello's salary.

The conditions on the picks break down like this:
-If the Stars win two playoff rounds, the 2nd round pick (2019) turns into a 1st round pick.
-If Zuccarello re-signs with the Stars, the 3rd round pick (2020) turns into another 1st rounder.”

Via NHL Trade Rumors

Torts actually like Duclair but when he realized his Hockey IQ is 1 above lettuce it was time to cut ties.

Dmen available - how about Forsling or Dahlstrom?
- RickJ

Kind of funny how Torts trashes Duc in the media and then uses him as a key piece to acquire Dzingel. Maybe JC should do the same with Perlini to help get us a dman.

Where - other than JJ (who makes stuff up, apparently) - did you hear this garbage? Duclair has been absolutely awful in Columbus, you knew that, right? This is absolutely becoming the Land of Fairly Tales.
- mohel

Wasn’t Torts all over his ass a week or two ago?

DuClair reminds me of Perlini - great speed, some size - should have been in the “A” at 19 instead of Nassau - should have had more than 19 games in Tucson. Maybe he would have become a hockey player instead of mostly just a speed skater.

Like a Perlini.

Kind of funny how Torts trashes Duc in the media and then uses him as a key piece to acquire Dzingel. Maybe JC should do the same with Perlini to help get us a dman.
- Hawkytalk

Wonder if Perlini could be used to pickup Russell from Edmonton?