Fiala should still be cheaper even after his new contract this summer, right? The question is whether or not Fiala plus average player(s) at a cap hit of the excess money is better than keeping Grandlund, who had one more year left on his deal, and who knows if Wild could keep him. Fiala is also about 4 years younger. Is there more upside to come from him, or has he hit his ceiling already?
- 333inthe3rd

The injuries he has had may have curtailed his development. Could have a big effect on whether he ever comes close to his potential. I still think Granlund is the better player and always will be better.

And if the Hawks squeak into the playoffs in the bottom spot they pick what...16
- Return of the Roar

Yeah or if they don't squeak into the playoffs they are 15, even worse!

Probably right. They’re likely in the 8th draft slot though. Unless there is another 8 game losing streak in the near future.
- scottak

Maybe be better than 8th pick in the draft. They are only 5 points ahead of Jersey for the 4th pick and Jersey has a game in hand. The Hawks have 3 tough games on the West Coast now and finish the season with a lot of games against good Western conference teams.

Where is that Toronto guy that said Marner was gong to sign for $9?
- LAHawk

In reality Stan made his deadline moves early, shedding Rutta, Manning and trading Schmautz and getting Koekkoek, Caggiula, Strome and Perlini.
- LAHawk

Zactly.

Bowman did exactly what he needed to do. He made no moves for rentals. He kept the Hawks futures instead of giving them away.

The tank is on. Hawks will drop to around a top 5 pick.

Not at the contract that he just got. It's great to think about who the Hawks could have gone after, but the reality of the situation is that Seabrook isn't going anywhere unless he wants to. Toews and Kane, same thing. There is only so much money that is available to spend.

I'm happy that they are building this team from the ground up. Moves for he immediate future while giving up high end prospects (and requiring an additional huge contract are only going to hurt this team.
- Chunk

I think what's most annoying is this half in , half out approach. Your right , Keith , Seabrook, toews and Kane hold all the cards.

Imo they won't end up with a top 5 pick , free agency won't be anything significant , and the following season they still will suck and strome , cat will be due a raise along with kahun. How does this team improve while paying these guys ?

Maybe be better than 8th pick in the draft. They are only 5 points ahead of Jersey for the 4th pick and Jersey has a game in hand. The Hawks have 3 tough games on the West Coast now and finish the season with a lot of games against good Western conference teams.
- -Doh-

Worst case here is ending in that 11-15 range which will seemingly eliminate us from a top 5 pick.

If the 2 game loss streak starts the free fall since the dream is nearly over, they might end up better than top 8.

Tell me about Faulk as my opinion is really more guessing based hockeybuzz comments in the past. I have not wtatched him much in games on the NHL channell. Thought he was purely offensive player had one big scoring year I recall. We have offensive dmen prospects in spades it seems
.
Hamilton I said ok. Actually he has been a good NHL
player.....when I said that he is ok, I am just thinking of his changing sweaters frequently. No team seems to want to retain him.
- jhawk59[img][/img]

Both players can defend well and would be massive upgrades over the garbage on the roster now and a handful of kids who haven't played a day of pro hockey.

He should have moved Gustafsson, tho. His value will never be higher. Can always move in the off-season though.

Both players can defend well and would be massive upgrades over the garbage on the roster now and a handful of kids who haven't played a day of pro hockey.
- fattybeef

Faulk doesn't defend well. He is at best okay at it. Though has fallen off the last couple of seasons. Been better this season.


Just ask BINGO!

He should have moved Gustafsson, tho. His value will never be higher. Can always move in the off-season though.
- Elbows15

That wouldve been a very big tank move as he's on a 61 point pace over 82 games.....signed for $1mil next year he should be able to get a very nice return either at the draft or 1 year from today at the 2020 deadline, in theory.....

The Blackhawks do not need Faulk. He's an offensive minded defensemen and we already have that on the current roster with Gustaffson and in the pipeline with both Beaudin and Boqvist. Hamilton would be great but you're giving up too much to get him IMO(Saad +).

If the Hawks trade with Carolina, I'm tellin you, it should be Brett Pesce or Slavin. The guy is like a Hjmarsson. I'd offer AA and Beaudin for either.

I'd also take De Haan as well, but I'd only offer AA + Forsling.
- Bjm84

No. He defends and defends well. Hamilton 100% worth Saad +.

AA does not have a lot of value and Forsling is very bad at hockey.

He should have moved Gustafsson, tho. His value will never be higher. Can always move in the off-season though.
- Elbows15

I think they should move Gustafson only if they decide to have the team actually play defence or some semblance of a defence system

If the plan is to keep playing offence only and JC thinks they'll simply outscore teams, might as well keep Gus

Actually Stan dropped the ball. Stone IMO was the best young 2 way forward to hit free agency , we all knew he was going to get around 9 to 10 million.

That's a trade Stan shouldnhave pursued IMO .

Stan is wasting toews and Kanes best years remaining with this half in half out tinkering.
- Taylorst1

Yes. I am sure that Toews and Kane are disappointed today. With all that Cap space I am sure that some help could have been have been bought in. A lot of players did not move today and could have been had for low picks and 2nd level prospects.
I am not impressed with the return for Stone. The key piece, Brannstrom, is small and scoring at a lower pace per game in the AHL than Joki, the second guy is a nobody, and the 2nd rounder is little to give up even if just for rental purposes.

I think what's most annoying is this half in , half out approach. Your right , Keith , Seabrook, toews and Kane hold all the cards.

Imo they won't end up with a top 5 pick , free agency won't be anything significant , and the following season they still will suck and strome , cat will be due a raise along with kahun. How does this team improve while paying these guys ?
- Taylorst1

Kahun and Debrincat are both signed through next season. I think most of your posts are a little crazy and not supported by fact. Maybe others do too. All I ask is that you look up some data before posting.
CapFriendly.com
Hockey-reference.com

Erik Gudbransen for Tanner Pearson Cap friendly......

Not stunned by the fact the Hawks were quiet today. Didn't have a lot to offer teams of interest right now besides bottom six and third pairing D-men. Thought they might do something to shuffle a piece or two around, but I'm fine with it. Let them continue to build chemistry and see what happens. Moves can be made after the season.

Little bit surprised by the amount of action going on and the big names involved.

One thing I'm surprised no one has brought up with the Vegas Stone trade and extension is the fact that they're gonna be facing a cap crunch here soon as well with all the deals they've been handing out. Karlsson is a RFA at seasons end and is gonna want a decent sized contract even after a down year. Think they got 19 guys (12 Forwards, 6 D-men, and 1 Goalie) and with Stone's extension that's gonna take them VERY close to the Cap ceiling. That's gonna be something interesting to follow this summer as well.

Got to ask, if they sign any of these college kids that are supposed to be the deal say like this kid
BARRETT, if these guys happen to catch lightning in a bottle and squeak into the playoffs is this kid eligible to play?

I think what's most annoying is this half in , half out approach. Your right , Keith , Seabrook, toews and Kane hold all the cards.

Imo they won't end up with a top 5 pick , free agency won't be anything significant , and the following season they still will suck and strome , cat will be due a raise along with kahun. How does this team improve while paying these guys ?
- Taylorst1

Theoretically, by doing exactly what they are doing. They have some defenders coming up the ranks, that have high ceilings if they can get there. Stan made two very good trades this year to add some aggression and scoring. It may not all work out while Toews and Kane are still producing, but nothing is perfect. We may have to just accept that.

Additionally, we don't know any details on the bolded. They may get a top 5, there may be something significant in FA (especially the way this team seems to be able to find players in EU). We have to let it play out.

He should have moved Gustafsson, tho. His value will never be higher. Can always move in the off-season though.
- Elbows15

I think he’s worth keeping on his current deal, at least for now. His defensive liabilities are hard to hide on a team that struggles defensively as a whole, but there is a place for someone like him on a good defensive team. He may not fit here long term with the talented D-men in the system, but there’s no need to give him away either. I’m guessing he moves on one year from now.

Actually Stan dropped the ball. Stone IMO was the best young 2 way forward to hit free agency , we all knew he was going to get around 9 to 10 million.

That's a trade Stan shouldnhave pursued IMO .

Stan is wasting toews and Kanes best years remaining with this half in half out tinkering.
- Taylorst1

The Hawks couldn't afford Stone at $9.5M - do the math - having T&K and Stone taking up $30.5M of the cap isn't going to work if the objective is to "not waste" the remaining years of T&K - especially when Seabrook's $6.8M is going to be on the cap for the next 5 seasons.

The Hawks couldn't afford Stone at $9.5M - do the math - having T&K and Stone taking up $30.5M of the cap isn't going to work if the objective is to "not waste" the remaining years of T&K - especially when Seabrook's $6.8M is going to be on the cap for the next 5 seasons.
- EbonyRaptor

I dont blame Seabs for not wanting to be moved, but he needs to realize how much he is hamstringing the organization.

Worst case here is ending in that 11-15 range which will seemingly eliminate us from a top 5 pick.

If the 2 game loss streak starts the free fall since the dream is nearly over, they might end up better than top 8.
- Popsghostly

It would be helpful if EDM & VAN both win tonight.

Not stunned by the fact the Hawks were quiet today. Didn't have a lot to offer teams of interest right now besides bottom six and third pairing D-men. Thought they might do something to shuffle a piece or two around, but I'm fine with it. Let them continue to build chemistry and see what happens. Moves can be made after the season.

Little bit surprised by the amount of action going on and the big names involved.

One thing I'm surprised no one has brought up with the Vegas Stone trade and extension is the fact that they're gonna be facing a cap crunch here soon as well with all the deals they've been handing out. Karlsson is a RFA at seasons end and is gonna want a decent sized contract even after a down year. Think they got 19 guys (12 Forwards, 6 D-men, and 1 Goalie) and with Stone's extension that's gonna take them VERY close to the Cap ceiling. That's gonna be something interesting to follow this summer as well.
- Savetheembers33

Hmmm, wonder what they would want for Brayden McNabb and Erik Haula? There is your defensive defenseman with snarl and third line center.