Well said...agreed on Vlassic and felt he has regressed a bit lately based on trying to do too much. If he ends up being a top pair Hammer style d men to pair with Artie or rinzel I am perfectly ok with it.

They have a TON of d men prospects and these last 20 games is a great audition for them here as well as possibly needing to dangle 1 along with picks in a bigger hockey trade.

So glad we have 1 less veteran D men on this team. Let the kids play, learn, and gain meaningful experience.
- SteveRain

Agree. Also at this time of year some of the younger players hit a wall because they are not used to the wear and tear of a full season, especially a losing season. It's like a dead arm for a young pitcher in the middle of the summer. They can bounce back from it. They just have to persist.

It was a great move...they only had to retain 2.5 for the next 5 years and have zero LT contracts on the books outside of Bertuzzi/Vlassic and Teuvo.

They got a young goalie who with a fresh start hopefully finds the consistency he has shown flashes of becoming.....and they got another 1st round pick.

The biggest thing is here is addition by subtraction. Good riddance to Jones. I laughed out loud when Zito praised his leadership.....you'll see Bill, you will see.

Now you have PLENTY of assets if you want to go b D energy and get 2 top 4, 1st round picks OR possibly put out an offer sheet to a RFA that makes sense. YOu also have 38 million in cap space for this upcoming summer and as of today....85 million for next summer.

Again, another good move but now Davidson needs to explore all other options by Friday and figure out how he's landing at least 1 bonafide top 3 F to skate with Bedard and allow Nazar/Bertuzzi/Teuvo to slot in accordingly.

If they trade Murphy by Friday, send somebody to do a wellness check....
- SteveRain

this made me actually laugh out loud!

Agree. Also at this time of year some of the younger players hit a wall because they are not used to the wear and tear of a full season, especially a losing season. It's like a dead arm for a young pitcher in the middle of the summer. They can bounce back from it. They just have to persist.
- Ztra

But I just read that since Bedard isn't literally scoring a point per game, he's a bust. Slumps are a figment of our imagination.

Well, FLA only has one goalie with the big team right now...
- Chunk

I wonder if the Red Wings would like Mrazek instead of Lyons as their backup for their playoff push? They have cap room. They only have Talbot signed for next year at $2.5 mil. Maybe for a 5th round pick. Mrazek is still capable of stealing a few games down the stretch. They are working so hard to make the playoffs, players and fans will be really pissed if they miss the playoffs by a game or two because of a goalie injury or poor goalie play.

Going to be interesting to see What Donato brings back. Wouldn't surprise me its a 1st with his play recently.

If it is i sure hope KD gets agressive and moves into the Top 5 this year. Sure love to get Martone! or Misa + Schafer!

But I just read that since Bedard isn't literally scoring a point per game, he's a bust. Slumps are a figment of our imagination.
- Chunk

You can criticize me for my comments on Bedard. But it is an over reaction. I said I don't think Bedard will be a #1 Center. I do think he could be a top notch winger on the 2nd Line (or line 1B) that scores 80 to 100 points with legit line mates while being on the first power play unit. Similar to Kaner. I don't think he will be a top line winger only because your top line matches up with the other team's top line and you want more 200' players on your top line. Just like Kaner he could be an excellent winger on line #1B and qb on the power play. I am sorry that the notion that he is more like Kaner than McDavid pisses off so many posters.

I for one totally love this Trade! We got rid of almost 7million on the books and got back another 1st and the one piece KD had yet to really address a Goalie of the future. Ive been a fan of Spencer Knights since he beat us in the WJHC. So please to see Seth Jones never in a hawks sweater again.

Lately I'm starting to just hope Murphy can play out his contract (stay healthy). He has had a really great season.
- breadbag

Me to, when we were competing for a playoff spot not a fan of Murphy, but since we are rebuilding i believe he's a much better fit for this roster than Jones. Still has a tendency to drift out of position but he's a guy who busts his ass on and off the ice. Kids need to see that more than a 9 to 5 hockey player.

Agree. They’ve got money to spend and it’s just as green as everyone else’s. Ehlers, Boeser? Would think some others would be in play.

Hopefully they eat the last year of Brodie’s salary and you have a blue line of Vlasic, Murphy, KK, EDM, Crevier, Kaiser, Allan next year.

Maybe they sign a RHD but you have to figure Lev is possibly up at some point next year and maybe Rinzel too.
- HawkintheD

I like the Jones trade. I think it’s about as good as the Hawks could have done. Knight has potential to be a true #1 goalie (albeit not certain) and another first round pick. I’d expect KD to start trading some of these 1st and 2nd round picks for immediate help.

For UFAs, I wouldn’t be surprised if KD signs Ekblad to a short-term deal.

If the Hawks miss on Rantanen and Marner there are some decent but risky choices. Ehlers and Boeser are very good but injury prone. I’d be ok with either on a short-term deal. I think Tavares would be another good option for a short-term (2 year) deal.

If the price is right I’d bring back Donato for the bottom 6.

Going to be interesting to see What Donato brings back. Wouldn't surprise me its a 1st with his play recently.

If it is i sure hope KD gets agressive and moves into the Top 5 this year. Sure love to get Martone! or Misa + Schafer!
- SaskHawkFan

I’d prefer to re-sign Donato. If the Hawks don’t have him in their long term plans they should still only take an offer they can’t refuse (like a first). They still need veteran support for the rest of the year and they don’t need any more third round picks.

I like the Jones trade. I think it’s about as good as the Hawks could have done. Knight has potential to be a true #1 goalie (albeit not certain) and another first round pick. I’d expect KD to start trading some of these 1st and 2nd round picks for immediate help.

For UFAs, I wouldn’t be surprised if KD signs Ekblad to a short-term deal.

If the Hawks miss on Rantanen and Marner there are some decent but risky choices. Ehlers and Boeser are very good but injury prone. I’d be ok with either on a short-term deal. I think Tavares would be another good option for a short-term (2 year) deal.

If the price is right I’d bring back Donato for the bottom 6.
- DarthKane

Would you flip Knight for Caufield tho straight up?!

I’d prefer to re-sign Donato. If the Hawks don’t have him in their long term plans they should still only take an offer they can’t refuse (like a first). They still need veteran support for the rest of the year and they don’t need any more third round picks.
- DarthKane

Do you think trade now gain an asset and resign in the summer is possible?

Would you flip Knight for Caufield tho straight up?!
- Assman22

You know the answer that that one.

Do you think trade now gain an asset and resign in the summer is possible?
- SaskHawkFan

Very very rare in nhl.

I believe Jones, Mrazek and AA are the non-draft remainders of the Bowman regime?

I didn't mind Jones much but think he needed to be traded. Very solid top 4 on any team, even more to a weak team like the Hawks. Not worth his contract on a bottom-dweller but he was brought in on a re-tool.

The team he joined was built to be a contender with Kane, a Toews back from missing a year, Murphy, young talent Dcat, Strome, Dach, Hagel and Kubalik. McCabe, T. Johnson and Fleury joined him. What if the team had a real coach and not JC?

In any event, feeling he did drag down the team being so out of place.

I do think he'll play well in FLA but I'm happy with the trade. Only retaining 2.5M on an already declining player plus the very low 1st (almost like a 2nd) and a goaltending prospect is exciting.

You know the answer that that one.
- SaskHawkFan

Was nice knowing you Spencer.

Tell me again I forget, with Jones gone we hate Brodie or Murphy now?

LAzerus is likely a BOD poster.

I agree with the sentiment that dealing Jones will be addition by subtraction.

KFC made an actual hockey trade. Whether Knight can be the #1 going forward remains to be seen but I think Davidson did a nice job getting back assets for a player with a big Cap hit who painted him into a corner.
- HawkintheD

Knight is well ahead of Commesso and Gaigun sp.? Both in development and where he was drafted.

Don’t be surprised if Jones plays well in Florida. He will be utilized as a second pairing defenseman, he is unlikely to get close to the minutes he had in Chicago and I’m sure he’ll stop pouting and try harder in both ends of the ice. Good for him but I’m happy he’s no longer on the team. I never thought KD would get any return for him. It’s very possible Knight becomes the Hawks’ goalie of the future. And with the additional first round pick Davidson has the capital with Toronto and or Florida’s first round picks plus a prospect to make a move on a young NHL forward or to get another top four or five pick in the upcoming draft to try to get two of the top draft picks. Then try to offersheet an RFA forward and perhaps sign a second tier UFA forward and the team should look significantly better next season.

Now who, if anyone, do the Hawks move at the TDL?
- paulr

If Jones doesn't play well Tkachuk will kick his ass.

Tell me again I forget, with Jones gone we hate Brodie or Murphy now?
- rpeters01

Brodie 100%. AA brought up to save Reichel from the crabby coaches who won’t be back, yay!

Agree. They’ve got money to spend and it’s just as green as everyone else’s. Ehlers, Boeser? Would think some others would be in play.

Hopefully they eat the last year of Brodie’s salary and you have a blue line of Vlasic, Murphy, KK, EDM, Crevier, Kaiser, Allan next year.

Maybe they sign a RHD but you have to figure Lev is possibly up at some point next year and maybe Rinzel too.
- HawkintheD

I think Lev is ahead of many of those guys and begins next year in Chicago.

Maroon and maybe Donato. Waive Mrazek
- Assman22

I'm not convinced Broissart ever plays for Chicago.

As i always say in these situations, every other team doesn't have to agree there's value, just one does

And thank God there was one

- vabeachbear

There was probably more than one or we don't do as well as we did.

I think Jones will do very well in Florida. He is very laid back. But that team has a few fiery players that the Hawks do not have. He might feed off that. He is a follower and not a leader. Also being on the 2nd pairing will be a better match for his skill and effort level.

When I look at what the Hawks are lacking the first thing that jumps out at me is the lack of feistiness and emotion. A player like Hagel or Shaw. Even Versteeg.

Also general mean spiritness. Seabrook, Keith, Brower, Eager, Bolland, Rosival, Carcillo, Hartman.

I hesitate to bring up Tessier, but his quote about the team needing a heart transplant is not too awfully wrong right now. It sounds like a few prospect in the system bring the vinegar and swagger. We will see.
- Ztra

Nobody messes with Vlasic and Slaggert.

If Jones doesn't play well Tkachuk will kick his ass.
- rpeters01

Tkachuck’s MO is to find the smallest guy he can to fight, he won’t do anything to Jones.