Not a lot of change. No sign of Caggiula yet.

Charlie Roumeliotis‏Verified account @CRoumeliotis · 11m11 minutes ago

#Blackhawks lines and pairings in Nashville:
Saad-Toews-Nylander
DeBrincat-Strome-Kane
Shaw-Kampf-Kubalik
Carpenter-Dach-Smith

Keith-Gustafsson
de Haan-Seabrook
Maatta-Murphy/Koekkoek
- Chunk

Please JC, flip Nylander & Kubalik. Please.
And go back to Keith . Murphy

Unless you can do it for a swap of some mid-round picks, I'm not taking a loss on Seabrook. No retained money, and no top level prospects. We've finally gotten back to a place where we have a lot of good prospects (and first round picks).
- Chunk

I understand what you mean. Unfortunately, retaining salary and giving draft picks will most likely the cost of moving Seabs’ contract. Unless of course we get a bad contract in return, which would be pointless

They will be trying out a new one tomorrow night in Pittsburgh.

If Anderson ever got hurt for an extended period, the Loafs miss the playoffs.

I love watching the Leafs lose. The media in TO is just waiting to blow up Babcock and Kyle Dubas.
- RickJ

You and I both....the legend of the immortal Mike Babcock. Still hasn't won a playoff series, but all the idiots at TSN throw their knee pads on and get in line when he speaks. What a joke.

Thought the Hawks effort vs Vegas was one of their best. Hoping they can build off it, but I also worry when they have to ramp up playoff style over the course of the regular season to dig out of a hole. Not a sustainable formula

What will be interesting to me is if Bowman, assuming Hawks are out of it, would be willing to trade Crawford to Edmonton for a quality return. That team isn't going anywhere with Mike Smith. Assuming Crawford avoids an injury up until then.....Hawks could get a very nice return from a desperate team like that.

A thought came to me about Gus. He put up 60 points in say 50ish games under Colliton, and on this roster has the best PP skills of all Dmen it would seem.

The PP didn't quite click to start the yr and the losses piled up but replacing Gus with Keith on the #1 PP seemed a bit quick, but ok. It has since been 5ish games that Keith has remained the #1 PP Dman.

If the Hawks are in it at the TDL I don't feel they would hand over the reigns of the PP to a teenager in Bovquist on a team in a battle for a playoff spot. Could it be that the long look at Keith on the #1 PP is to see if they can move Gus and still compete for a playoff spot without hurting the PP?

In other words can Gus be moved and the Hawks still have a solid enough PP to get into the playoffs with Keith as the PP QB?
- Mr Ricochet

Arguably the biggest flaw in Keith's game is his shot from the point. He has zero accuracy, its not heavy to get through traffic OR scare PK guys from standing in the way, and 70% of the time when he fires it it's either into a guys shin pads OR rings around and out of the zone.

He has no business sniffing a PP1. None.

Please JC, flip Nylander & Kubalik. Please.
And go back to Keith . Murphy
- scottak

I don't disagree but they seem to be giving Nylander every chance to solidify a top 6 spot.

You and I both....the legend of the immortal Mike Babcock. Still hasn't won a playoff series, but all the idiots at TSN throw their knee pads on and get in line when he speaks. What a joke.

Thought the Hawks effort vs Vegas was one of their best. Hoping they can build off it, but I also worry when they have to ramp up playoff style over the course of the regular season to dig out of a hole. Not a sustainable formula

What will be interesting to me is if Bowman, assuming Hawks are out of it, would be willing to trade Crawford to Edmonton for a quality return. That team isn't going anywhere with Mike Smith. Assuming Crawford avoids an injury up until then.....Hawks could get a very nice return from a desperate team like that.
- SteveRain

Unless Edm shows that theyre a cup contender, i doubt CC would waive to go there

Unless Edm shows that theyre a cup contender, i doubt CC would waive to go there
- squishy24

Crow may ok a trade to a good team (playoff team, maybe cup contender), IF they agree on a new contract for Crow another year or two at about $6mil at the time of the trade.

Arguably the biggest flaw in Keith's game is his shot from the point. He has zero accuracy, its not heavy to get through traffic OR scare PK guys from standing in the way, and 70% of the time when he fires it it's either into a guys shin pads OR rings around and out of the zone.

He has no business sniffing a PP1. None.
- SteveRain

Yeah feel the same way.

Last JC figured this out and took him off and replaced him with Gus.

2 biggest contracts this offseason are going to be: (1) Lehner and (2) Strome.
The Hawks need to lock up Lehner as soon as they are able to (January, I believe) as I am hoping he gets at least 4-5 years. I think $6,000,000 is more than fair for him. The more he plays and the Hawks wait to sign him, the salary could go even higher. He is priority number one in the offseason. Strome if he plays with Kane the rest of the year could be looking at a big time raise as well. I do not know the salary cap numbers for the Hawks heading into next offseason, but the Hawks might be looking at over $11,000,000 for 2 players that do need to be resigned.

I don't disagree but they seem to be giving Nylander every chance to solidify a top 6 spot.
- SteveRain

19’s best days, both on O & D, we’re with 2 big, fast wings that played a strong 200 foot game, Saad & Hossa. Even with 88 on his right side, not as good. Plus, Nylander makes JT less effective defensively.

You’re probably right about the why.

Crow may ok a trade to a good team (playoff team, maybe cup contender), IF they agree on a new contract for Crow another year or two at about $6mil at the time of the trade.
- -Doh-

I dont think crow would want to be traded anywhere unless that team is a cup contender. I doubt he approves a trade to a team just because theyre in the playoffs. Tor fits the most, but im not 100% that even CC accepts that

Lets say the Hawks are out by TDL, who would you want from Tor for Crawford? That will boost their PO goaltending. Hawks can even offer max salary retained considering CCs contract expires. Possibly a second rounder with conditions to become first rounder based on performance + prospects or etc
- squishy24

Toronto doesn't have a first rounder to give. to me it would have to be a first and a prospect.

Toronto doesn't have a first rounder to give. to me it would have to be a first and a prospect.
- LAHawk

Toronto would have to determine whether the acqusition of a dman or a goaltender is their best option. They know whomever they bring in, is probably a short term this season only add. They could not fit in any salary next season. Does Crawford have a modified no trade list - he had this previously maybe still in his contract! What I do know is that we should not carry both Crawford and Lehner next season. Use Crawford salary for Lehner new contract. I like to think that Laakinen would suffice as a back up.

Toronto doesn't have a first rounder to give. to me it would have to be a first and a prospect.
- LAHawk

When was the last time a goalie over thirty was traded fro a 1st round pick and a prospect?

If the Hawks are in playoff contention just how much impact on the overall team can a 6th defender who is a liability most of the time on defense have? If he is playing well and they are in contention and they trade him I think they are still in contention with his replacement. You might lose a little on the PP and offensively, but you would pick it back up defensively. The loss/gain this season would be negligible and if you gain a high pick or a highly rated prospect you have to pull the trigger.
- -Doh-

It's entirely possible but it depends on how the offense is playing at that point. If he's playing decently and contributing but they're rolling without counting on him then it could happen sure and they could replace him with a veteran with better defense or go with Boqvist or possibly even Mitchell if his NCAA season ends in time to sign with the Hawks for the Playoffs.

However, if he's play like he did last year and putting up close to 60 points and running the PP and helping the offense go then there's no way you can trade that before the season ends. You rid it out as long as you can and let someone else pay in him in FA

Toronto doesn't have a first rounder to give. to me it would have to be a first and a prospect.
- LAHawk

Hes going to be a pure rental. I dont think CC will re-sign with Tor. I have a feeling he might retire after his contract ends this season. Could be coaching hawks goalie or a scout for the hawks, after

Unless Edm shows that theyre a cup contender, i doubt CC would waive to go there
- squishy24

If the Hawks are out of the Playoff picture and Edmonton has a shot I could see them work something out IF Crow wants to go there. That's the biggest if with it. However, I wouldn't be shocked if they keep Crow all year and let him and Lehner continue to do their thing and if it goes well enough they could ride that to a Playoff berth. If that happens all bets are off and I wouldn't be shocked to see Crow return on a one year deal (if Lehner is retained long term).

When was the last time a goalie over thirty was traded fro a 1st round pick and a prospect?
- GPHawksfan

Ryan Miller in 2014 from Buff to STL

Mr. R - can I suggest you watch more Leaf games in their entirety.

Their blueline is very weak as a group and without Frederick Anderson's heroics they have 3 or 4 more losses in the column.

And Tyson Barrie is said to be looking for $8M per on a new contract next year. He aint that good and fortunately for the GM he will have no cap space to pay him.
- RickJ

Have the Baaaaahstan @ TOR game queued up for 6:00 puck drop. Figure it will be a good one and if not StanBow's USHL team the Tri City Storm is in Dubuque to tangle with the MN Wild owner's Saints (humming along at a league leading .773 clip but behind the Chicago Steel in the standings) at 7:00 as Plan B. ....... Didn't make the connection until now but I got back channel scoop that StanBow fired his Storm GM and head scout a couple days ago. Hmmmmmmmmmm?

Got off track, sorry. Ceci has not been a very very pleasant surprise paired with Reilly all yr on the 1st pairing? Muzzin is not a highly underrated Dman, a damn good one in my book. It's a surprise to anyone that Barrie is a Gus like player best served as a 3rd rotation PP specialist? He's of use if slotted properly just like Gus (my concern has always been Bovquist would be a Barrie/Gus type).

McDermott has shown use as has USHL kid and Hawk draft pick Justin Holl but yea I agree it ain't perfect by any stretch but cuz of Ceci's play probably a better defense than last yr, no?

TOR made the calculation that they'd spend 95% of their cap dollars on the forwards and goalie and outscore you. Doubt it wins a cup but it is some damn entertaining hockey just like the Hawks are right now.

Kappanen for Matta and Beaudin/Delia/Lankanen? Would they be foolish enough to trade for Gus?

When was the last time a goalie over thirty was traded fro a 1st round pick and a prospect?
- GPHawksfan

The Blues sent Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 third-round pick to the Sabres in return for Ryan Miller and Steve Ott at the 2014 TTDL.

Arguably the biggest flaw in Keith's game is his shot from the point. He has zero accuracy, its not heavy to get through traffic OR scare PK guys from standing in the way, and 70% of the time when he fires it it's either into a guys shin pads OR rings around and out of the zone.

He has no business sniffing a PP1. None.
- SteveRain

Agree with all of this and IMO Colliton probably does too. That's why I wonder why he's allowed Keith to be the #1 PP QB for an extended period when Gus is clearly their best PP QB option.

Is it to see if somehow Keith could reasonably be a playoff PP QB and allow them to move Gus for the best offer whenever that comes?

Edit: IMO Seabs is a better PP QB than Keith. Just a bit scary Seabs being the last line of defense on the blueline.

I dont think crow would want to be traded anywhere unless that team is a cup contender. I doubt he approves a trade to a team just because theyre in the playoffs. Tor fits the most, but im not 100% that even CC accepts that
- squishy24

Crow is a UFA at yrs end. Why wouldn't he approve a trade to say EDM and a shot at a deep playoff run, become a FA afterwards and choose his next team?

19’s best days, both on O & D, we’re with 2 big, fast wings that played a strong 200 foot game, Saad & Hossa. Even with 88 on his right side, not as good. Plus, Nylander makes JT less effective defensively.

You’re probably right about the why.
- scottak

19 was good against Vegas. He needs to start finishing his chances. He needs to start producing and raising guys levels around him.....not taking steps backwards because he's not playing with stars.

IMO, that's Toews biggest flaw. He doesn't elevate a lot of guys games on his line.

Crow is a UFA at yrs end. Why wouldn't he approve a trade to say EDM and a shot at a deep playoff run, become a FA afterwards and choose his next team?
- Mr Ricochet

That was my thought process.....Edmonton has talent up front and a very good veteran, cup winning goalie, can hide a lot of warts on the back end.

TO me, its shaping up to be a lot easier coming out of the west then it would be the east.

Washington Boston Tampa are all very formidable.

There doesn't seem to be that type of complete team in the west as of now....All that could change after the deadline.

Crow is a UFA at yrs end. Why wouldn't he approve a trade to say EDM and a shot at a deep playoff run, become a FA afterwards and choose his next team?
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe im just biased, “edmonton” and “deep playoff run” somehow doesnt connect in my brain