Tyler Cameron: Defencemen deals and trade chatter Tuesday was the day to deal a defenceman apparently.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Stan Bowman sits idly. Well, on the surface at least. I have heard that there has been a lot of chatter behind the scenes.

What am I hearing and what am I reading between the lines?

First

Sell Mortimer Sell

Slopping seconds

Anyone have any news on Mitchell? Would he sign with the Hawks if they dont make the playoffs? His “perceived” value might be higher now than in the offseason

Anyone have any news on Mitchell? Would he sign with the Hawks if they dont make the playoffs? His “perceived” value might be higher now than in the offseason
- squishy24

He's expected to sign.... with the Rangers.

Yeah, the moves which will be made or not be made, depend largely upon whether Lehner signs. If he has not been signed by now, then I figure it wont happen. Stan must be listening to offers and we still have a few days to go. The points you have listed about Gus, and the Dmen who have been traded recently, says to me that Gus can bring back a 2nd rounder. And maybe more. Just because some people on this board think that he is only worth a 6th or 7th rounder, does not mean that is his true worth in the hockey front offices. Although the math says Hawks not 100% out of playoffs, it should mean 99.9%. I do expect Stan to make some moves soon.

Why would you care if you traded GUS in your DIV if you are selling? He is a UFA. not trading in your DIV is old school thinking especially at the deadline. Its all about the trade that gets you better for next year and down the road and if that helps STL get another CUP who cares. You should actually want teams in your DIV to overpay that helps you down the road. this year is over.

He's expected to sign.... with the Rangers.
- DarthKane

If Dale was GM there’s no question Mitchell would sign with the Hawks.

Tyler in previous blog i propose a fake trade gust for rights to jesse and a 3rd from Edmonton would that be a good return hawks be looking for? Plus i like to see the hawks to think big as far trading on of are goalies.

Why would you care if you traded GUS in your DIV if you are selling? He is a UFA. not trading in your DIV is old school thinking especially at the deadline. Its all about the trade that gets you better for next year and down the road and if that helps STL get another CUP who cares. You should actually want teams in your DIV to overpay that helps you down the road. this year is over.
- kmw4631

Hawks are very driven by optics.

Spinning this to the fanbase that it was the best move to trade Gustafsson now is one thing, trading him to a rival in-division when "technically" the Hawks could still push for a playoff spot in the remaining 20+ games is another.

That's just my take though. Watch #56 be moved to STL tomorrow.

Anyone have any news on Mitchell? Would he sign with the Hawks if they dont make the playoffs? His “perceived” value might be higher now than in the offseason
- squishy24

The Blackhawks success this season shouldn't affect Mitchell signing in Chicago.

The real factor is whether he sees a legitimate spot on this roster in 2020-21. All signs are pointing to yes, there will be room for him to join the top 6 next season. Hell, even this season potentially.

TRADE: Alec Martinez to VGK for 2nd rd in 2020 and 2nd rd in 2021.

--

Trade is now official as expected.

TRADE: Alec Martinez to VGK for 2nd rd in 2020 and 2nd rd in 2021.

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Trade is now official as expected.
- Tyler Cameron

Stan's still napping at the ranch I suppose.

In Blowman's finest hour just prior to the deadline, he will:

- Re-sign Gus for $3+M AAV for another 3 years
- Fail to re-sign Lehner as well as fail to trade either him or Crawford, netting ZERO
- Re-sign an aging and dizzy-prone Crawford for $5.5M for another 3 years
- Announce he was re-upped as GM for another X# of years
- Confirm his reoccurring potato chip order with Amazon, upping its frequency to daily
- Make the "big" trade announcement that Dylan Sikura was traded for a 6th rd pick

Lehner - My guess is that he asks for too much money or too much term and the Hawks move him. But I doubt he gets a 1st round pick.

Crow - If Lehner is moved they go with the Crow and Lankinen option. Crow on a 1 year deal at less money than he is currently making and Lankinen on a 2 year deal at not much more than he is currently making. That reduces our cap hit for goalies from $11 mil to about $6 mil. If they turn out to be stellar (and other positive moves are made) the Hawks could contend for the playoffs (not the Cup). If Crow is hurt or he and/or Lankinen stink it up we get a really good lottery position. In either case they are probably not serious cup contenders next year.

Gus - I am not sure what his value in this market is. It could be surprisingly good or surprisingly bad. I am thinking a 2nd round pick. I dread that the Hawks could keep him and sign him for $2.5 mil for 3 years. If so Stan should be fired.

Maatta - I think he has some value. 25 years old. 2nd or 3rd pairing type. cost controlled for 2 more years. Playoff experience. If someone is wanting to dump an expensive expiring contract so that they have cap room to make another move before the TDL it could boost his value. So I am thinking if he moves the Hawks get a 2nd round pick and a large expiring contract.

In Blowman's finest hour just prior to the deadline, he will:

- Re-sign Gus for $3+M AAV for another 3 years
- Fail to re-sign Lehner as well as fail to trade either him or Crawford, netting ZERO
- Re-sign an aging and dizzy-prone Crawford for $5.5M for another 3 years
- Announce he was re-upped as GM for another X# of years
- Confirm his reoccurring potato chip order with Amazon, upping its frequency to daily
- Make the "big" trade announcement that Dylan Sikura was traded for a 6th rd pick
- savvyone-1

All correct except, Sikura would not get a 6th round pick. Your expectations are too high.

Hawks are very driven by optics.

Spinning this to the fanbase that it was the best move to trade Gustafsson now is one thing, trading him to a rival in-division when "technically" the Hawks could still push for a playoff spot in the remaining 20+ games is another.

That's just my take though. Watch #56 be moved to STL tomorrow.
- Tyler Cameron

I don't think in the division matters. Hartman was moved to Nashville a couple of years ago.

In the old Norris Division of the Cambell Conference days the Hawks made several trades withe Leafs and the North Stars.

I still think there is a very very outside chance that they have a verbal agreement with Lehner and it will not be announced until after the TDL or after the season.

OK, let's look at the East, where 4 SOLID teams reside. Caps, Bruins, Penguins, Lightning. BUT when we look at the West, it is wide open. All these teams GM's, from the Blues and Av's, to the Oilers and Stars and the others, have their eyes wide open to the realistic possibility of winning the Conference. They might be willing to do out of the ordinary things this year, because they can taste that Conference Championship. Hawks have PLENTY that are possible acquisitions. Saad ? Lehner? Crawford ? Maata? Gus ?? A few years ago, we gave a 1st for Vermette. How did that work out ? Yeah, really good. Penguins just gave a 1st + for Zucker. Work good so far ? Yep. Coyotes paid high price for Hall. Work good ? Nope. How about Blue Jackets last year ? Nope. But I can see 4 or 5 teams that would give up high picks +, for players on Hawks roster so they have a bigger chance of winning the West. I aint gonna be shocked by any trades, but I WILL be shocked if Bowman does nothing.

I still think there is a very very outside chance that they have a verbal agreement with Lehner and it will not be announced until after the TDL or after the season.
- -Doh-

Why would they do that?

In Blowman's finest hour just prior to the deadline, he will:

- Re-sign Gus for $3+M AAV for another 3 years
- Fail to re-sign Lehner as well as fail to trade either him or Crawford, netting ZERO
- Re-sign an aging and dizzy-prone Crawford for $5.5M for another 3 years
- Announce he was re-upped as GM for another X# of years
- Confirm his reoccurring potato chip order with Amazon, upping its frequency to daily
- Make the "big" trade announcement that Dylan Sikura was traded for a 6th rd pick
- savvyone-1

- Sign David Rundblad for 2 x 2M

Really hope SB makes some deals.

I think Lehner definitely nets you a first rounder. Gotta move him if he doesn't want to be here or the negotiations continue to leave the sides far apart.

He could also flip Crow and then resign him in the summer, although I don't see him doing that.

Gus is a no-brainer move that he has to make. Should get a 2nd for him.

Why would they do that?
- mohel

Out of respect for Crow. They do not want to make it obvious during the season that they are cutting him loose after this season, unless he is traded (and even then he would need to approve the trade).

I still think there is a very very outside chance that they have a verbal agreement with Lehner and it will not be announced until after the TDL or after the season.
- -Doh-

Could be. Toronto supposedly has extended Muzzin but can't announce it for a while due to that cap tagging rule.