It would be irresponsible to trade Lev. We need to build a solid blue line. Trade them Jones. They still save money on the deal.
- bjphawkfan

It depends on the return. If it was for the other Tkachuk, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Do I like moving Lev, absolutely not, but if the return is high enough, I certainly look hard at that.

It depends on the return. If it was for the other Tkachuk, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Do I like moving Lev, absolutely not, but if the return is high enough, I certainly look hard at that.
- Chunk

Agreed. Good young dmen are still the most valuable asset in my opinion. Have enough of them and you can trade one or two for young top 6 forwards.

It is why I have no issue drafting best player available again, even if its another d propsect.

You put one of them on the trade block and teams will be lining up. It's why I am hoping Rinzel, Lev, Allan, and KK all turn into top 4 guys.

Just don't trade for a Mittelstadt type. Still think that's an awful trade. Bryam has 4 less points in 2 less games and is a +3 on an awfult team . Mittelstadt -16 on a Avs team that is still pretty good despite the injuries.

Thought you might like this piece on a Hawk trade possibility, Scott. https://www.msn.com/en-us...df99bfd6f8d8edc4411&ei=54
- Mr Ricochet

poop any deal that goes the other way it starts with Seth Jones period. Those other deals pass. What's the point of the rebuild then.

That's why the Canucks wont trade Miller to the Rangers, they don't want deteriorating players in Kreider or Zibanejad.

poop any deal that goes the other way it starts with Seth Jones period. Those other deals pass. What's the point of the rebuild then.

That's why the Canucks wont trade Miller to the Rangers, they don't want deteriorating players in Kreider or Zibanejad.
- BetweenTheDots

I'll agree with you regarding the trade proposals mentioned, but I will maintain, that for the proper return, I would seriously consider almost anything.

I'll also agree with you on the Jones comment. The crap of it is that when engaged, he's actually a really good player. It's just that it seems he's rarely engaged. If you could trade him for even a steady 4-5 defenseman I think you make the move.

What on earth is going on with this website? Eklund needs to give us a new board, 172 pages is insane. This isn’t 2002.

What on earth is going on with this website? Eklund needs to give us a new board, 172 pages is insane. This isn’t 2002.
- ObeseOprah

They need a writer. Want to throw your hat in the ring?

It would be irresponsible to trade Lev. We need to build a solid blue line. Trade them Jones. They still save money on the deal.
- bjphawkfan

Yes, Seth Jones is the one to trade. Do not trade any of the yutes.

Edit: The next question would be would Seth waive to go to Vancouver?

Is it just me or does it seem like prospects are like cars. The moment they are picked, they start to lose value?

Unless they are breaking into the league and tearing it up at 19, it seems that their perceived value just plummets within a year of being picked.

Is it just me or does it seem like prospects are like cars. The moment they are picked, they start to lose value?

Unless they are breaking into the league and tearing it up at 19, it seems that their perceived value just plummets within a year of being picked.
- Chunk

Most of them don't make it. Look at any draft history. Not many runs of draft success like the Oilers had for their first three drafts. Six HOFers! Or Detroit's insane 1989 draft class, which followed a year where they had only one pick make the NHL.

I applaud all of you who take the time to observe NHL prospects. I often say on here that NHL prospect evaluation is the hardest job in pro sports.

They need a writer. Want to throw your hat in the ring?
- Chunk

Ek shall feel free to use my next blog write free of charge and here it is:
"Blackhawks lost."

Yes, Seth Jones is the one to trade. Do not trade any of the yutes.

Edit: The next question would be would Seth waive to go to Vancouver?
- 333inthe3rd

If I can't trade Jones, that wouldn't stop me from trading a defensive yute for an offensive yute.

Most of them don't make it. Look at any draft history. Not many runs of draft success like the Oilers had for their first three drafts. Six HOFers! Or Detroit's insane 1989 draft class, which followed a year where they had only one pick make the NHL.

I applaud all of you who take the time to observe NHL prospects. I often say on here that NHL prospect evaluation is the hardest job in pro sports.
- 333inthe3rd

Very true. It's just amazing to me that so many people get all hyped up about the draft and who gets taken where etc. and almost the second those picks are made, it's like all that is thrown out the window.

Very likely because it takes so long for most of them to actually get to the NHL where football and basketball normally have guys come in immediately.

Ek shall feel free to use my next blog write free of charge and here it is:
"Blackhawks lost."
- 35Tony0

I see what you did there.

They need a writer. Want to throw your hat in the ring?
- Chunk

Zach could be retired by now. I wonder if he would come back?

If I can't trade Jones, that wouldn't stop me from trading a defensive yute for an offensive yute.
- rpeters01

KD literally only has two options. Stay as bad as they are or improve. There is no getting worse here (I'm sure someone will try to prove me wrong here ).

If I'm him, the first thing that I try to do is acquire NHL level players that can/will play the way I want when the kids come up. Whether that's trades or FA really doesn't matter to me.

With the build-up in the prospect ranks, KD has about 4-5 years of guys trickling into the NHL. Considering his volume and quality (top two rounds) of picks, I don't think it's out of the realm that he'll find at least two NHL players per draft class on average.

Keeping that in mind, I think he can comfortably move some pieces around to put a competent team on the ice (at least).

The "Nazar at wing" experiment has begun.

Ben Pope:

Bertuzzi - Bedard - Nazar
Dach - Reichel - Foligno
TT - D!ckinson - Mikheyev
Hall - Donato - Maroon

Martinez Jones
Vlasic Crevier
Allan Brodie

extra: Kurashev, Kaiser

If he wasn't coming out for Brodie, I wouldn't mind Kaiser watching. He's been really tentative with the puck on his stick, leading to bad icings and turnovers. Obviously, you want him to play through that, but it's been getting worse lately. Too bad Murphy is hurt.

The "Nazar at wing" experiment has begun.

Ben Pope:

Bertuzzi - Bedard - Nazar
Dach - Reichel - Foligno
TT - D!ckinson - Mikheyev
Hall - Donato - Maroon

Martinez Jones
Vlasic Crevier
Allan Brodie

extra: Kurashev, Kaiser

If he wasn't coming out for Brodie, I wouldn't mind Kaiser watching. He's been really tentative with the puck on his stick, leading to bad icings and turnovers. Obviously, you want him to play through that, but it's been getting worse lately. Too bad Murphy is hurt.
- Chunk

Sorry Dots, as of right now Jones is still on PP1. I don't get it either.

KD literally only has two options. Stay as bad as they are or improve. There is no getting worse here (I'm sure someone will try to prove me wrong here ).

If I'm him, the first thing that I try to do is acquire NHL level players that can/will play the way I want when the kids come up. Whether that's trades or FA really doesn't matter to me.

With the build-up in the prospect ranks, KD has about 4-5 years of guys trickling into the NHL. Considering his volume and quality (top two rounds) of picks, I don't think it's out of the realm that he'll find at least two NHL players per draft class on average.

Keeping that in mind, I think he can comfortably move some pieces around to put a competent team on the ice (at least).
- Chunk

I look for bigger moves this offseason. UFA's, RFA offer sheets, trades, kidnappings. Anythings possible. They've proven they're this bad so now it's on KFC.

Very true. It's just amazing to me that so many people get all hyped up about the draft and who gets taken where etc. and almost the second those picks are made, it's like all that is thrown out the window.

Very likely because it takes so long for most of them to actually get to the NHL where football and basketball normally have guys come in immediately.
- Chunk

It's about hope for the future, packaged for one evening. We watched the draft live at the UC when it was here. It's pretty cool seeing a hopeful get called to the stage and how excited his family gets. The first big step to an NHL career.

Right now we are paying even more attention to the drafts because it's a huge part of how to get out of this quagmire, and we're looking for any signs of that starting to happen. KD has been stockpiling picks, and it's more interesting following that than it is figuring out which placeholders he should sign for the next two seasons.

Add: And when any of these picks/prospects show any signs of having an NHL career, that's exciting for us. I mean seeing Nazar have a good game against the Oilers has another level of excitement, because we start thinking is he going to keep doing this? Or is Lucy about to yank the football again?

I look for bigger moves this offseason. UFA's, RFA offer sheets, trades, kidnappings. Anythings possible. They've proven they're this bad so now it's on KFC.
- rpeters01

Offer sheet for Knies? Especially if TOR gets pinched signing Marner and Tavares.

It's about hope for the future, packaged for one evening. We watched the draft live at the UC when it was here. It's pretty cool seeing a hopeful get called to the stage and how excited his family gets. The first big step to an NHL career.

Right now we are paying even more attention to the drafts because it's a huge part of how to get out of this quagmire, and we're looking for any signs of that starting to happen. KD has been stockpiling picks, and it's more interesting following that than it is figuring out which placeholders he should sign for the next two seasons.
- 333inthe3rd

Therein lies the rub. He shouldn't be signing placeholders... but I repeat myself.

Just heard Hawks finalizing a trade (don't get excited):

Isaak Phillips for Dmitry Kuzmin. AHL for AHL.

Therein lies the rub. He shouldn't be signing placeholders... but I repeat myself.
- Chunk

Was looking through the list of UFAs last night. Marner and Rantanen are probably out.

Boeser, Ehlers, and Bennett seem to fit (late 20s, good scoring). After that not a lot else that seems like a good fit.

What are some others (UFA or RFA)?

Offer sheet for Knies? Especially if TOR gets pinched signing Marner and Tavares.
- Chunk

Tavares I don't think will be resigned unless it's a team friendly deal. Real friendly.

Therein lies the rub. He shouldn't be signing placeholders... but I repeat myself.
- Chunk

Then they have to sign more Bertuzzis. Maybe he got market rate, but that's a four year deal. That's more risk than I'd like. I'd love it if they signed someone the caliber of Marner, we all would, but those guys are less likely to sign here at market rate. Players grew up dreaming of hoisting the Cup after scoring the winner in Game 7, not getting a league max deal on a crappy team. Well, maybe Phaneuf did that, who knows?