The more I read about this trade the more I like it. Sounds like Kahun is a pretty good player. Next up...getting JJ the eff out of here (I still think it will happen).
- madmike71

I need to read up on Kahun too, but I like the direction.

An yes please on JJ. I actually didn't know until today they lose almost his entire cap hit next year on a buy out. I'd do that over a bad trade with the window closing soon. Of course I don't have to pay 8M to make him go away.

I don't think this move gives them quite enough cap space for that, as they would probably have been slightly over before plus needed a buffer, but they could with another move.
- Tojo.

IF JR decides he doesn't want JJ around, I could see JJ being bought out or traded, and seeing a move for a winger or two. Probably another player like Kahun. Not really too high on anyone's interest level, cheap, decent point totals. Although JR's been known for unorthodox moves. I saw an article comparing this season to the 2015 one. In that case is JR gonna try and go for another blockbuster like he did with Kessel?

I need to read up on Kahun too, but I like the direction.

An yes please on JJ. I actually didn't know until today they lose almost his entire cap hit next year on a buy out. I'd do that over a bad trade with the window closing soon. Of course I don't have to pay 8M to make him go away.
- Tojo.

Ideally, you sucker somebody into a trade and retain a mil. But yeah, the buyout isn't scary at all. Next year is practically nothing.

He scored 37 points as a rookie and has 2 years left on his ELC. Considering Maatta would be on the 3rd pairing, I’m ok with this deal. Nice way to fill out your bottom 6
- drummer829

He's got one year left and then he's an RFA?

Ek says we’re goin hard for Panarin so we’re gonna get Phaneuf.

Does Keith still have the chops to play top 2 minutes? I don't claim to know, I haven't seen him since Chicago was still a cup contender. The perception I've gotten from a lot of people is he's slower. Not sure how true that is though.
- Thrill81

Yes. Dude is still a minute-eater and contributes offensively. His defensive play isn't great, but it isn't terrible. He's definitely lost a step, but he's still very good at generating offense from the back-end.

Not going to happen though. I was just musing.

Ek says we’re goin hard for Panarin so we’re gonna get Phaneuf.
- j.boyd919

Pretty much.

Giving in to EK's bullpoop for a minute, if the Pens did go heavy for Panarin, I have to think JJ is definitely getting moved unless he somehow moves Hornqvist.

I actually think there is some truth to the Penguins looking at Panarin. The best way to get Malkin going for the last years of his career is to give him someone to play with. Had me thinking, has Malkin ever had a Russian on his line in Pittsburgh (Sergei Plotnikov DOES NOT count). I think Fedotenko is probably the closest. I have no idea what Panarin would cost salary wise, obviously a pretty big salary given his pedigree.
The only way it could work would be Rutherford trading Kessel or Hornqvist and Johnson or Gudbranson. No question a team like Florida could offer a better deal to him, but if the Penguins wanted to put a serious offer together, I'd bet he'd listen.

Also, with the Penguins being interested in Trouba, that tells me Rutherford isnt done with the defense. Moving Schultz out for Trouba? Dumping Gudbranson or Johnson? Don't know, but I've read multiple places that the Penguins have inquired about Trouba.

So this is what I'm reading: Fast, avoids contact, plays all 3 positions though mostly LW last year.

1.89pts/60 at ES. All his relative rates were positive and those often impressive after a rookie year.

Was used all over the place including top 6. Played very little at special teams (Sully uses almost everyone at one or the other).

That's an intriguing guy. 35 ES points is a lot for a guy who bounced around the line up, and getting it from a guy who seems to play well at both ends means you could play him anywhere.

Duncan Keith is a top pairing defender. I’m not even sure how that’s a question. Basically the only thing that changed last year was that Gus took a huge chunk of his PP time and the whole team had a slow start defensively. They were so lazy on their assignments. I took a ton of flack on the Hawks forum for saying that they and Blues were good teams who were playing bad. Obviously both teams kicked it up in the second half. Biggest guy I feel for on that team was Ward. Man did they ever throw him to the wolves and their moron fans just ate him alive

So this is what I'm reading: Fast, avoids contact, plays all 3 positions though mostly LW last year.

1.89pts/60 at ES. All his relative rates were positive and those often impressive after a rookie year.

Was used all over the place including top 6. Played very little at special teams (Sully uses almost everyone at one or the other).

That's an intriguing guy. 35 ES points is a lot for a guy who bounced around the line up, and getting it from a guy who seems to play well at both ends means you could play him anywhere.
- Tojo.

Per DobberSports his most common centers were Toews and Strome and it wasn’t uncommon for him to jump over the boards with DeBrincat, Kane, and/or Saad. What’s surprising is they’ve got him excelling with the highest QoC of any Hawks forward. He averaged a minute of PPTOI/game, his PDO was pretty high as well. How would I describe him to someone who’s never seen him? He’s shy and crafty like Simon but has speed closer to Rust - hence why I said he probably gets a look in the top 6

Yes. Dude is still a minute-eater and contributes offensively. His defensive play isn't great, but it isn't terrible. He's definitely lost a step, but he's still very good at generating offense from the back-end.

Not going to happen though. I was just musing.
- Rinosaur

haha well in your hypothetical world where JR is interested in Keith, I'd be okay with that. Still bothers me though cause while I like Kahun from the very little I've heard of him, a Maatta-Letang is a very solid first and doesn't require us to make a deal for a top 4 dman. Although that ship has sailed. I think Keith's age and salary would be less than ideal. I'm unfortunately not very up to date with other team's farm systems as I've stopped purchasing NHL video games but I think faster Dman is generally where I'd lean to.