Justin Lowe: Not-So-Bold Trade Deadline Predictions for Blackhawks
The Hawks won a real gunslinger of a game the other night vs. Ottawa. An 8-7 game doesn't happen very often, however, it's not a surprise considering the Hawks and Sens are the two worse defensive teams in the league.


There is a lot of hockey to be played still and if the Western Conference continues to live in mediocrity, then this race will go down to the wire.

Here is a realistic look ahead to what we should expect from now until 3pm on Feb 25th.

Je suis le premier!

First - Thanks JC. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think they try to get some D help at the TDL. The Western Conference is wide open.

Edit: Second

Little tweaks like moving Coo Coo? He just got here and he looks great...

First - Thanks JC. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think they try to get some D help at the TDL. The Western Conference is wide open.

Edit: Second
- powerenforcer

Thanks for the early morning blog TC.

Maybe. I could see them doing that (trading for a dman) this summer, but I think Bowman will stick to what he said in terms of making trades with an eye on the future.

I still can't see them trading picks or prospects for rentals and really hope they don't make that mistake.

Afa what some were talking about in the last blog, I could see Jokiharju coming back to the big club at some point, but no matter where he is I'd like to see him getting big minutes in all situations.

Little tweaks like moving Coo Coo? He just got here and he looks great...
- shidler

I'd rather they hang onto him; Hayden and Forsling too. If they do end up going somewhere, I'd rather it be for another team's young player they possibly like better vs accumulating picks.

Of them all though, I'd like to see them resign K4. Think he's an RFA.

Little tweaks like moving Coo Coo? He just got here and he looks great...
- shidler

Trade him before they have to worry about re-signing him.

Yea lets get rid of Coo Coo and Hayden, a couple of guys who can deliver a body check.

This guy gets it. Use said assets for longer term improvement. Stan's been doing well at this - continue on the path.

Edit - supposed to be a reply to HawkintheD. Although Ty gets it, too.

They might as well stand pat now since the team didn’t seem to understand that if you are tanking you supposed to lose not win.
I just hope SB doesn’t move any long term assets for a short term gain.
Like Coach Norman Dale said in Hoosiers: “My team is on the floor” or in this case ice.

Which team let in the most goals in the 2017/18 season?
Answer Islanders. Defensive TOI leaders Puloch, Leddy, Boychuck, Mayfield, Pelech, Hickey. Goalies Halak and Greiss.
7th place in their division.

Which team has let in the fewest goals this season?
Answer Islanders. Defensive TOI leaders Puloch, Leddy, Boychuck, Mayfield, Pelech, Hickey. Goalies Lehner and Greiss.
This year lead their division.

Of course the major difference is the coach and commitment to defense. I am not saying the Hawks can make such a turnaround. But when you think of best defensive corps and goalies in the NHL the Islanders do not spring to mind right away. When you look at the players the names are not that impressive.

We are anxious to say the Hawks defensemen and goalies are crap. I am sure a lot of Islanders fans were saying the same thing last year. I would used caution in moving Dmen at the TDL. I would like to see how they play the rest of the year. I would like to see a new defensive scheme developed over the summer, with maybe a new assistant that handles the D. Then let them have a training camp together. During that training camp everyone would need to buy into playing a more 200' game. If Crow and Delia are there for a full year the goalkeeping should be ok.

For starters they should move the following:
CC
AA
Kruger

Followed by off season:
Seabs (if you can move even with some retained I would do to it just to get it off the books)
Kunitzs

Pricey vets for a borderline team makes zero sense.

For starters they should move the following:
CC
AA
Kruger

Followed by off season:
Seabs (if you can move even with some retained I would do to it just to get it off the books)
Kunitzs

Pricey vets for a borderline team makes zero sense.
- Hawkster

Kunitz and Kruger have expiring contracts, traded or not they will be gone. No one is going to take Seabs and that anchor of a contract, and the amount you would most likely have to retain (and get him to waive his NMC) would not necessarily make it worth it. Until CC proves he is healthy its tough to move him.

Is Dougie available and what would the Hawks need to throw at Carolina to make that happen?

I'd rather they hang onto him; Hayden and Forsling too. If they do end up going somewhere, I'd rather it be for another team's young player they possibly like better vs accumulating picks.

Of them all though, I'd like to see them resign K4. Think he's an RFA.
- HawkintheD

I wonder what is Forsling’s value now (and with expiring contract). I would not give him away just for the sake of it, but moving him for comparable forward seems to be a good idea at this point.

Is he a fit in Pittsburgh? Between Simon, Aston-Reese or Blueger, is there a deal to be made maybe?

Kunitz and Kruger have expiring contracts, traded or not they will be gone. No one is going to take Seabs and that anchor of a contract, and the amount you would most likely have to retain (and get him to waive his NMC) would not necessarily make it worth it. Until CC proves he is healthy its tough to move him.
- TheTrob

I agree they will be very hard contracts to move but hopefully they at least try.

This guy gets it. Use said assets for longer term improvement. Stan's been doing well at this - continue on the path.

Edit - supposed to be a reply to HawkintheD. Although Ty gets it, too.
- mohel

You're wrong! Bowman needs to make 18 trades and needs to add at least 4 guys who can beat up the opposition because, well, who wants to support a team that doesn't fight?

Which team let in the most goals in the 2017/18 season?
Answer Islanders. Defensive TOI leaders Puloch, Leddy, Boychuck, Mayfield, Pelech, Hickey. Goalies Halak and Greiss.
7th place in their division.

Which team has let in the fewest goals this season?
Answer Islanders. Defensive TOI leaders Puloch, Leddy, Boychuck, Mayfield, Pelech, Hickey. Goalies Lehner and Greiss.
This year lead their division.

Of course the major difference is the coach and commitment to defense. I am not saying the Hawks can make such a turnaround. But when you think of best defensive corps and goalies in the NHL the Islanders do not spring to mind right away. When you look at the players the names are not that impressive.

We are anxious to say the Hawks defensemen and goalies are crap. I am sure a lot of Islanders fans were saying the same thing last year. I would used caution in moving Dmen at the TDL. I would like to see how they play the rest of the year. I would like to see a new defensive scheme developed over the summer, with maybe a new assistant that handles the D. Then let them have a training camp together. During that training camp everyone would need to buy into playing a more 200' game. If Crow and Delia are there for a full year the goalkeeping should be ok.
- -Doh-

At this point the "man-to-man" defensive scheme that supposedly has been installed is just not working. The question becomes one of can it or will it ever become effective at the NHL level. As you mentioned above, the Islanders have done a 180 with the same personnel, none of whom are great defenders, by changing the schemes and coverages. They also had an off-season and pre-season with a new coach to install the new ideas. Would Collitons "man-to-man" be better if it was installed pre-season?

One thing to think about now is, how much of the offensive surge is due in part to the defensive scheme. If the Hawks were to go back to a traditional defensive structure, would it effect the offense? The Penguins won their most recent cups with questionable defense, but got outstanding goaltending and were just able to out gun teams when they had too. Their defensive philosophy was to just get pucks out of their zone and let their forwards go get it and score. If the Hawks were to make the playoffs, a quick exit is assured if they keep giving up 4+ goals a game, but if a "regular" defense gets you down to 3 or less a game does it give your offense a chance to win you games instead. I'm OK with 4-3 games as opposed to 2-1.

You're wrong! Bowman needs to make 18 trades and needs to add at least 4 guys who can beat up the opposition because, well, who wants to support a team that doesn't fight?
- paulr

Damn, back to the reeducation camp for me.

how about that WC wild card race:

the ducks have gone 5-16-4 since 12/18 and are 3 pts behind the wild with 4 teams ahead of them tied at 59 (1 pt behind)

the only team with a winning record of those 5 teams over the last 10 games is the hawks...

its 6 team loser cage match to see who gets bounced in 4-5 games in round 1...

From the Ottawa blog, Duchene to sit out the their next game on Thursday to avoid possible injury. Looks like he'll be traded soon. According to the writer, NSH, WPG, CGY, NYI, VGK likely trade partners.

Stone may re-sign with the Senators. Dzinglel may or may not get traded.

Little tweaks like moving Coo Coo? He just got here and he looks great...
- shidler

Agreed. Not saying he’s untouchable, but seems to me to be a solid prospect.

From the Ottawa blog, Duchene to sit out the their next game on Thursday to avoid possible injury. Looks like he'll be traded soon. According to the writer, NSH, WPG, CGY, NYI, VGK likely trade partners.

Stone may re-sign with the Senators. Dzinglel may or may not get traded.
- boilermaker100

They can have him.

Agreed. Not saying he’s untouchable, but seems to me to be a solid prospect.
- Ogilthorpe2

Anddddd cost controlled!

At this point the "man-to-man" defensive scheme that supposedly has been installed is just not working. The question becomes one of can it or will it ever become effective at the NHL level. As you mentioned above, the Islanders have done a 180 with the same personnel, none of whom are great defenders, by changing the schemes and coverages. They also had an off-season and pre-season with a new coach to install the new ideas. Would Collitons "man-to-man" be better if it was installed pre-season?

One thing to think about now is, how much of the offensive surge is due in part to the defensive scheme. If the Hawks were to go back to a traditional defensive structure, would it effect the offense? The Penguins won their most recent cups with questionable defense, but got outstanding goaltending and were just able to out gun teams when they had too. Their defensive philosophy was to just get pucks out of their zone and let their forwards go get it and score. If the Hawks were to make the playoffs, a quick exit is assured if they keep giving up 4+ goals a game, but if a "regular" defense gets you down to 3 or less a game does it give your offense a chance to win you games instead. I'm OK with 4-3 games as opposed to 2-1.
- TheTrob

The zone scheme that they were using before Q was bagged wasn’t working either though.

In my mind defense play is at least 60% hustle and “want to”. This team could be much better defensively if they really wanted to be, and if the coaches emphasized it enough. The offense would likely suffer though, especially for guys like Toews who would likely be leaned on as a shut down forward.

What this team needs is Dave Bolland 2.0. A 3rd line centered by a Bolland type flanked by Kahun and Saad would be a nice Defensive Line with a little offensive upside.