John Jaeckel: Rumor update

Thanks JJ!

As always, great stuff!

Palat-Toews-Hossa

Thanks for the update John.

Stay away from Vanek....Please

EDIT: I am guessing that IF it is Palat we will probably lose Schmaltz and Kruger

Thanks for the update JJ!

All things being equal, how do you compare the price for Duchene vs. Palat? What you would have to give in term of NHL player/prospect seems similar. What would you speculate that Palat could command as an RFA? $4M per?

Thanks for the update JJ...

Boyle checks a lot of boxes and Palat would be a great add as well. Both...?
Didn't look at their cap hits - don't know if we could swing it.

Kruger, DeBrincat and a 2nd? Would that get it done?

I love the thought of acquiring Palat. A very good 2-way player with enough offense to work very well Toews. He would definitely fill the gap at top-6 LW and thereby slot other wingers into more appropriate positions - trickle down effect.

He's not have as good of an offensive year as he did a couple years ago (10g/15a) but he's shown he can play and checks all the boxes.

Git-r-done Stan.

Palat.....Yes Please

Thanks for the update JJ...

Boyle checks a lot of boxes and Palat would be a great add as well. Both...?
Didn't look at their cap hits - don't know if we could swing it.
- DK002

Palat is $3.3M and RFA after this season so he is most likely affordable without having to trade away Kruger's $3.1M.

I love the thought of acquiring Palat. A very good 2-way player with enough offense to work very well Toews. He would definitely fill the gap at top-6 LW and thereby slot other wingers into more appropriate positions - trickle down effect.

He's not have as good of an offensive year as he did a couple years ago (10g/15a) but he's shown he can play and checks all the boxes.

Git-r-done Stan.
- EbonyRaptor

This Palat rumor has my juices flowing so much I'm quoting myself.

I wanted to add a Palat-Toews-Hossa line would be similar to Saad-Toews-Hossa from a couple years ago in that they can be used to go up against the opponent's top line and still should be able to score their fair share. Like a primary checking line with offense.

I have a hard time thinking tampa would want Kruger. they have cap issues and they cannot afford a 4th line center making 3 mil per season. My guess he would ask for forsling and schmaltz. They also have EXP draft issues. Maybe forsling and Debrinct might be enough.

Thanks for the update JJ!

All things being equal, how do you compare the price for Duchene vs. Palat? What you would have to give in term of NHL player/prospect seems similar. What would you speculate that Palat could command as an RFA? $4M per?
- phantasmo

I really like the idea of acquiring a top 6 LW that'll be more than just a rental; solve that problem for a few years.

This Palat rumor has my juices flowing so much I'm quoting myself.

I wanted to add a Palat-Toews-Hossa line would be similar to Saad-Toews-Hossa from a couple years ago in that they can be used to go up against the opponent's top line and still should be able to score their fair share. Like a primary checking line with offense.
- EbonyRaptor

He checks the boxes man. Two way play and goes to the traffic areas. And yes, trading a Schmaltz for Palat is worth it.... Especially if he sticks around for 2-3 years.

I would be excited with either Boyle or Palat but asking price is obviously higher for Palat and I wonder if the Hawks want to mess with chemistry of the team if they had to include a roster player especially with their play of late. Boyle's size and experience is enticing and going into playoffs and having to match up against a San Jose or Anaheim his size would be a welcomed addition.

Smith could be had cheap. He does raise his game in the playoffs though. He could excel on the Hawks 3rd defense pair. He has all the tools and no tool box. Low hockey IQ. But he has guts and brings a physical element in the playoffs. He is a UFA and I'd be shocked if he's not traded before the trade deadline.

Tatar has struggled since Blashill took over the Wings. Constant line mixing and no continuity. He'd likely be a star playing with Toews and Hossa though. He is a RFA though so I can't see the Hawks wanting to pay him 4-5 mil per season. Good hands but tries to do too much himself. Gives puck away too much. But I attribute this to the crappy team he plays for and the clueless head coach. The Hawks puck possession game would fit him very well. They have the defensemen who can get him the puck. The talent is there.

Vanek makes the most sense as he is a pure rental. High hockey IQ, great hands and excellent net presence. Not a great playoff track record though. Would likely thrive with Toews and Hossa.

I would be excited with either Boyle or Palat but asking price is obviously higher for Palat and I wonder if the Hawks want to mess with chemistry of the team if they had to include a roster player especially with their play of late. Boyle's size and experience is enticing and going into playoffs and having to match up against a San Jose or Anaheim his size would be a welcomed addition.
- jvanda

I'm not against acquiring Boyle because I like him for the reasons you cited, but what he doesn't do is fit the top-6 LW position. He isn't fast enough nor does he have a high level offensive game. He would be a good bottom-6 guy who would win faceoffs and play PK -but he isn't the answer to play LW with Toews.

Smith could be had cheap. He does raise his game in the playoffs though. He could excel on the Hawks 3rd defense pair. He has all the tools and no tool box. Low hockey IQ. But he has guts and brings a physical element in the playoffs. He is a UFA and I'd be shocked if he's not traded before the trade deadline.

Tatar has struggled since Blashill took over the Wings. Constant line mixing and no continuity. He'd likely be a star playing with Toews and Hossa though. He is a RFA though so I can't see the Hawks wanting to pay him 4-5 mil per season. Good hands but tries to do too much himself. Gives puck away too much. But I attribute this to the crappy team he plays for and the clueless head coach. The Hawks puck possession game would fit him very well. They have the defensemen who can get him the puck. The talent is there.

Vanek makes the most sense as he is a pure rental. High hockey IQ, great hands and excellent net presence. Not a great playoff track record though. Would likely thrive with Toews and Hossa.

"Palat is seen as a longer term acquisition (RFA this summer) who can immediately fill the hole at top 6 LW and be part of the picture in Chicago beyond this year."

Gotta wonder how much money it'd take to resign him next year.

Palat and Boyle would be great pick ups...and would make the team even more formidable.....lets go Stanbo!

Smith could be had cheap. He does raise his game in the playoffs though. He could excel on the Hawks 3rd defense pair. He has all the tools and no tool box. Low hockey IQ. But he has guts and brings a physical element in the playoffs. He is a UFA and I'd be shocked if he's not traded before the trade deadline.

Tatar has struggled since Blashill took over the Wings. Constant line mixing and no continuity. He'd likely be a star playing with Toews and Hossa though. He is a RFA though so I can't see the Hawks wanting to pay him 4-5 mil per season. Good hands but tries to do too much himself. Gives puck away too much. But I attribute this to the crappy team he plays for and the clueless head coach. The Hawks puck possession game would fit him very well. They have the defensemen who can get him the puck. The talent is there.

Vanek makes the most sense as he is a pure rental. High hockey IQ, great hands and excellent net presence. Not a great playoff track record though. Would likely thrive with Toews and Hossa.
- gergeswillems

Has Tatar proven himself to be good defensively? I haven't seen enough of him to know. I've seen more TB games than DET games over the last few years and from what I've seen I would take Palat over Tatar, mainly for his 2-way game. Palat is slightly bigger but other than that they have very similar stats.

Who would you pick - Tatar or Palat?

Bowman will not "pull the trigger" on any of those deals. I would rather see a low cost veteran in. This team does not have the firepower to win the cup like in 13 and 15 imo.. keep the rooks and let them continue to work together....

Bowman will not "pull the trigger" on any of those deals. I would rather see a low cost veteran in. This team does not have the firepower to win the cup like in 13 and 15 imo.. keep the rooks and let them continue to work together....
- bigfly46

The argument against the wait until next year philosophy is the Keith clock is ticking and there is no one on the horizon to step into Keith's #1 d-man role. So the object is to win now and worry about later later.

Has Tatar proven himself to be good defensively? I haven't seen enough of him to know. I've seen more TB games than DET games over the last few years and from what I've seen I would take Palat over Tatar, mainly for his 2-way game. Palat is slightly bigger but other than that they have very similar stats.

Who would you pick - Tatar or Palat?
- EbonyRaptor

Tatar is meh defensively. Honestly I'd pick Palat if you can get him. He's just a better player.

Sean Shapiro of Wrong Side of the Redline: (mailbag) [Shapiro] thinks the Stars will trade Patrick Eaves and Patrick Sharp, and possibly Jamie Oleksiak.

Eaves is having a career season and only carries a $1 million cap hit. A fit with the Chicago Blackhawks?

Teams that are still in the hunt for a playoff spot most likely aren't going to be sellers. Detroit and TB are still in the hunt so it will probably be a couple weeks before we know if they will be sellers.

Most likely neither Detroit or TB will make the playoffs with both of them being 6 or 7 points out of the last wildcard spot with 6 or 7 teams in front of them and most of them having games in hand. But, if either team reels off a string of wins before the TDL they may decide to not be sellers.

TB has 6 games left before the TDL - on the road against WIN/DAL/COL and at home against EDM/CAL/OTT. Some winnable games there.

DET has 7 games left before the TDL, with road games against CLB/MIN/PIT/VAN and home games against STL/WAS/NYI. A much tougher schedule than TB.