Blackhawks Possible Trade Targets
As we get closer to the deadline, and the longer the Blackhawks frustrate fans with uninspired play, the longer trade rumors will persist. And certainly there are areas that the Blackhawks would undoubtedly like to address (a veteran defenseman not-named Oduya or Rozsival, another physical forward).
Let’s take a look at some of the players the Blackhawks might target if/when they look to make a deal.
When we look at players the Blackhawks might consider, there are two considerations to keep in mind: Stan Bowman rarely trades inside the Central Division, and with the Hawks’ limited cap space and upcoming prospects they are likely only looking to rent through the end of the season.
Here are players on teams on the outside of the playoffs who might fit the Blackhawks’ needs.
New Jersey Devils
F Michael Ryder – $3.5M cap hit, 2015 free agent
D Marek Zidlicky – $4.0M cap hit, 2015 free agent
Ryder turns 35 at the end of March, and his cap hit might make him harder to fit in Chicago. But he has an offensive upside that would add something to the Hawks’ bottom six and his age experience is something that would appeal to coach Joel Quenneville.
Zidlicky just turned 38 on Tuesday and his having a nice season for the Devils (21 points thru 51 games). He’s second on the Devils in blocked shots (64) and is playing more than 22 minutes per night. Somewhat surprisingly, his 5-on-5 iCorsi (125) is comparable to Johnny Oduya (130) so far this year.
Ottawa Senators
D Marc Methot – $3.0M cap hit, 2015 free agent
Methot, 29, missed almost the entire first half of the season but is back to his usual 20-plus minutes per night. In his first 12 games this season, Methot has been credited with 22 hits and 19 blocked shots with five assists.
Toronto Maple Leafs
D Cody Franson – $3.3M cap hit, 2015 free agent
F Daniel Winnik – $1.3M cap hit, 2015 free agent
If we’re honest, Franson is a bit of a pipe dream. Only 27 with more than 100 hits and blocked shots already this season, he’s a player that will receive interest from all over the NHL if he doesn’t want to stay in Toronto long-term. The Hawks would have to move salary and quality prospects to bring in Franson with no guarantee they could afford him after this spring.
Winnik, who will turn 30 in early March, has a cap number that’s much easier to imagine the Blackhawks considering. With that being said, he’s a valuable player who will also garner a good amount of interest from around the league. Winnik leads the Leafs in short-handed ice time per game (3:28) and is fourth on the Leafs with 32 takeaways.
Carolina Hurricanes
D Tim Gleason – $1.2M cap hit, 2015 free agent
D Andrej Sekera – $2.75M cap hit, 2015 free agent
The Hawks have been linked to Gleason in the past. Now 32, Gleason has 76 hits and 109 hits in 46 games for the Canes while skating more than 16 minutes – two of which are short-handed – each night.
Sekera, 28, leads the Canes with 86 blocked shots and is averaging more than 22 minutes per night.
Buffalo Sabres
D Mike Weber – $1.667M cap hit, 2016 free agent
Weber, 27, is an interesting player to consider. His cap number is reasonable and he’s a physical defenseman; he ranks second on the Sabres with 92 blocked shots and hits with 103. Weber averages 17:18 per night, 2:15 of which comes short-handed for the last-place Sabres. He has one goal and five assists with 49 penalty minutes in 40 games this season.
It’ll be interesting to see what Bowman does, that’s for sure. He indicated recently any moves would have to be money for money & that he likes the roster. I wonder if the inconsistent play lately has the front office rethinking.
Erixon has been getting the Runblad treatment – sitting out and not rotating in. You have to wonder what they think of him long term.
should have retained Nick Leddy if possible. I have been saying for a long time Oduya has to go,too many errors.give Erixon time. watched him play for Springfield Falcons. Richards was a bad move,im not impressed with him.
I would realy like Weber in Hawks uniform. He´s older version of what I expect from Johns and Paliotta in 1-2 years. Something that Hawks defence need. He´s strong and mean. And for good money. But never heard that he´s on trading block.
I have to disagree with your on your assessment of Richards. He was a low cost move and has put together a solid season. He has not been liability on the ice, he is a +8 and has played well with Kane. His job is to get Kane the puck and he has done that. 49% in the F/O circle, would be nice to see him bump that up a bit but all in all that has been a decent signing.
I wouldn’t mind seeing them move Oduya for a more physical D-man, and Rozsival can take a seat also. You aren’t going to be able to trade him and it also doesn’t appear that Q is sold on Erixon so we will continue to see him out there. Hopefully when van Riemsdyk comes back he will pick up where he left off but even then he will probably be splitting time with Rozsival.
There will be substantial roster changes in the offseason. Right now? Bowman is handcuffed UNLESS he is prepared to include a quality prospect as the enticement for some team to take on one of our veteran contracts. So maybe something like McNeil and Oduya nets you a decent veteran blueliner? I don’t know.
Gotta be honest… Steve Cimma went 0-3…
Couldn’t retain Leddy; Oduya & Rozsival have NTCs, one of them had to go
Give Erixon time – where? Can’t go down w/out waivers, isn’t getting on the NHL lineup
Richards, for the term and money, has been a fantastic signing.
The reminder to those of us who will now engage in hypotheticals – Oduya & Rozsival have NTCs. That’s why Nick Leddy isn’t here any more. So if the Hawks are going to move either of them, they would need to approve the deal. Not unheard of, but also more complicated than moving someone w/out that on their contract.
Concise and coherent delineation of players that can help the team; however, Tab, how do you fit them in under the CAP? You’ve set forth numerous times prior hereto the NTCs of Hawks’ players. Burish is a cheaper and comparable version of Winnick. We’ll see…
Also Tab, to add to your thoughts, why would the Blackhawks move either Oduya or Roszival at the deadline? Defensemen drop like flies in the playoffs and right before, it’s critical to have depth on D, even if they’re not ideal players which they aren’t.
Right now Erixon is the depth guy, it remains to be seen if he’ll continue to be that guy. Can’t see much of a market for him to be honest, he has bounced around and just got traded for another guy who would have to pass through waivers.
Michalek on AZ is another 2015 free agent that would be better than 27/32. His cap is $4M though so the deal would probably require AZ to retain salary.
Iceman, strongly disagree on your Winnik/Burish comparison – Winnik wins that one in a landslide.
Read two (notably unreliable) rumors the Hawks were interested in Vancouver’s Kassian (no please) and Buffalo’s Deslauriers (yes please). Deslauriers has a year left on his contract with a low cap hit of $635K. He would be ideal as a bottom 6’er who would add size, speed and physicality but Buffalo has no incentive to trade him so it would require an overpayment to acquire him is my guess.
re: iceman – Burish is in the A for a reason. If you’re truthfully comparing the two you need to watch Winnik play more (this coming from a HUGE fan of Adam Burish)
re: Hofmeister – you’ll note that I didn’t propose the Hawks move either Oduya or Rozsival. That said, the Hawks clearly need a legit #4 defenseman to Oduya isn’t playing 18 mediocre minutes and Rozsival isn’t a part of the PP. That’s where a player like Zidlicky comes into play; he’s been thru the wars and is a known commodity. If the Hawks are going to move a veteran, they would look to add a player like the aging d-men listed.
To the point that dmen drop like flies in the playoffs, let’s also remember that Dahlbeck, Brennan & Johns are still in Rockford. If Erixon is moved, there’s sufficient organizational depth to fill that 7th dman spot internally without missing a beat. Furthermore, Mike Paliotta might be in Rockford when his college season ends, giving the Hawks additional flexibility.
And we haven’t even mentioned the return of TvR…
None of the guys mentioned are worth more than a Butt-plug after a Taco Bell eating contest followed by 6 PBR’s… IT won’t Help!!!
Hawks are in Big need of that 4th D man/rock… AND They are getting Almost zero scoring from 4th Line… Marginal Scoring (mostly PP from 3rd line guys)… AND Toews/Hoss have been Below average (scoring goals)…
Too many issues/voids to be corrected- with The 1 low-Rental SB can actually afford…
91/+ 8… the Guys is a minus 4/5 on the PP (which I don’t think is counted there)…
91 has been OK- everywhere except the PP point (where he is HORRIBLE)…
I’ll take Winnik over Burish- ALL DAY
Winnik .750 & Gleason .600 (at 50% retained) are both low caphits.
Those teams have plenty of room to eat half of salary (prorated/82games).
Waive Erixon (42/86 to Rockford roster) if needed to get what we want.
I like Burr, Sharpys partner in crime and Lloyds Harry.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–ouQDffEq–/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/18j5hp0t167cxjpg.jpg
Even if TVR comes back, is there any guarantee that Q would dress him over Oduya or Rosy? My guess is that he would take Runblads spot. In the playoffs we will need wheels and TVR and Runner have wheels, but Q doesn’t see it like that, sometimes.
I agree on pure playing ability, Winnik is better than Burish; however, when you factor in his salary for the rest of the season, and the Hawks aren’t the only team that would be interested in him, Burish fits the aggregate need based upon lower salary (minimum) and lack of interest of other teams (i.e., you can get him for virtually nothing). It’s a no risk move, worst case waive him. He has upside, Hawks would not be asking him to play w/ Towes & Hossa. He can still skate, takes faceoffs well, kills penalties, gritty, and he’s a team guy. He’s in the minors b/c his salary ($1.8M) was not commensurate w/ his production; at minimum salary ($500K/$550K), he is worth the Hawks’ need. If they can find a way to fit Winnik in under the CAP instead of Burish, I’m in. Otherwise, what I am suggesting makes sense.
I VOTE MIKE WEBBER period . . . big physical and when you add that type of guy, guess what the other defensemen sort of pick it up a little and hit just a little more. Go get him!
Please stop with the Burish talk. There is no scenario in which Burish makes the Hawks even marginally better. Carcillo is a better hockey player and a better agitator than Burish and the difference in their salary cap hits is negligible, so just keeping Carcillo in the lineup is a better idea than downgrading to Burish.
Thank you, Raptor. STOP w/ the Burish talk. “when you factor in salary for the rest of the season… Burish fits the aggregate need” – what is the need Burish fills, iceman? A forward who’s good for zero points in 8-10 minutes a night? we’ve got 3-4 of those already. You’re missing the whole “need to improve the bottom six” conversation if you honestly, in your heart, believe Burish fills a NEED on this team.
Also, I’m frankly disappointed that some of you are saying the Hawks need size and ignore that’s precisely why Winnik would be of interest. 6-2, 210 and plays well both ways. put up 30 pts in ANA last year. Has 21 points – same # as Bickell.
Tab- I actually think Winnik- would be a help…
BUT- my Point is the Hawks need more than Winnik… and can’t afford more
PP sucks– please no more 91 on point!!!
D- suspect after top 3
Scoring on bottom 2 lines- ???
Toews/Hoss/ (and 10- 5 on 5)… are all below par!!! – the last one- may or may not regress/improve to the mean… but I ain’t feelin the other 3
Hawks also need to use the size they have. When Bickell plays physically, he is a much much better player. Saad, Seabrook and Smith could also play a little more physical. Carcillo is not my favorite player, but at least he knows his role.
Tab, your previous article…
Only “Fuels” my desire to include Crow as a Trade Option this summer!!!
Agreed…..Crow is a great goalie, but can not carry the team on his shoulders. That said, the approx $5mm saved would go a long way to upgrading the D core in front of Raanta, Darling or Leighton
Tab – The reason Leddy isn’t a Hawk had very little to do with the cap. It was a mistake in talent judgement and an arrogance (for the second year in a row) that changes were not needed.
If the talent is on the farm – play it. If not, trade it and get rid of the under-performers while there is still some value.
Personally, I’d much rather have Leddy, Hayes and Pirri playing for the Hawks than Oduya, Carcillo, Shaw, etc. That would be 3 more players under 25 playing on RFA contracts who would be seasoned going into next year.
Mike- don’t forget the Russian Kid from Leddy trade…
Putin up great numbers (see what I did there) in KHL… and Is Giant in size!!!
Might be the best of bunch!!!
either way- I am not too excited about- McNeill, Ross, Danault- making a Difference next year!!!
Hawksfacts, congratulations. You officially have the most ironic handle on the Committed Indians message board.
Hfacts… Leddy was gonna get paid… so I don’t know if that was realistic…
Pirri can’t skate (can score)
I do think that Hayes was a mistake… In a couple of ways… While he isn’t an agile skater… his straight line speed is ok… AND I stated before… JHayes could have fit in w/ top 2 lines (kind of like 29 in PO’s) where he just hangs around net and lives on Kane and Toews doing all the work… He has great finishing hands around net… and was bigger/CHEAPER version of Bickell… Didn’t like JHayes on a checking line- cuz he wasn’t agile/skater/checker
Most importantly- would have secured KHayes in signing w/ Hawks- so they would have had 2 good sized guys who can actually finish around net… and Control their contracts!!!
And JHayes on PP/net… way better than 65/29 combo!!!
could be biggest – SB blunder
#1 Problem and #1 solution..
Try to get Crawford out of here asap. We will be more then fine with Raanta (mvp twice in SM-Liga + playoff) and vae Darling as our backup.
Doing this would release ton of cap space!
Try to get #27 out of here as well for maybe a pick or a prospect.
Use Rundblad next to hammer (hammer enjoys playing with a guy from Sweden). Hammer might be the best “backhome” D-men in the league, then would give Runblad some confident to just let it go. Runbald did put up 56p in 54games in SHL (more then Erik Karlsson ever did), the kid has an amazing skill set offensively.
Also, would like to see Rundblad on the point on the 2nd unit in pp.
Though the beat writers have been saying that the Hawks won’t be active. Do not underestimate the “meddling” of John McDonough. He was very upset whe the kings beat the Hawks in game 7 last year and I would imagine he still has a sour taste in his mouth.
If the Hawks continue to play sub 500 hockey, I would imagine he will stick his nose in and order Stan to shake things up.
The next 10 games will be key starting tonight.
Craig- to add to Hawk’s recent pathetic play… Kings are playing bad right now…
and Hawks coughed up late lead to a team that is playin like crap…
A few more losses… and Hawks will be like Kings- on outside lookin in…
Which in 2-3 weeks- could really be sellers… which i’d be fine with.
Wall,
Seriously, saying if they still had Jimmy Hayes it would’ve ensured Kevin Hayes signing here is nothing but a giant assumption. The road blocks would’ve still been here for K. Hayes – too many forwards blocking his path, he wanted an NHL job right now and wanted it pretty much guaranteed.
If he wanted to play with his brother so bad, he could’ve signed with the Panthers.
Hof- it wouldn’t guarantee it… but it would have been much more likely-imo
Where are the “too many forwards blocking his path”??? Better yet- WHO are these forwards??? Danault? Nordy? etc.???
Guaranteed roster spot? You must have inside info- if you Know for fact that NY- guaranteed spot and SB wouldn’t… and if that is fact- then you are right.
At end of day- JHayes cheaper younger than 29, both are flawed… and Ya Probably have better shot at KHayes (who most say has higher upside than JHayes)
His agent said, in agent speak, that K. Hayes wanted a clearer path to the NHL. So the agent and K. hayes must have thought the Blackhawks were deep in forwards. And that’s all that matters – that’s why he didn’t sign here. You can look at the roster and the depth chart as well as I can and figure out what they saw.
At the end of the day, they got Veersteeg for J. Hayes, let’s see how it works out.
Wall the only reason I responded is because you said it “would have secured” K. Hayes signing in Chicago.
Now you’re coming off that and saying it wouldn’t have guaranteed it, it only would have made it much more likely. Had you said that in the first place, I wouldn’t have responded – it may have made it much more likely, then again it may not have. I think it wouldn’t have, you do, ok to disagree on that.
I don’t see the Hawks being active. They just don’t have the roster flexibility to make an impact moves
Honestly, any trade talk is moot until the centers start making themselves more available to the defenders and they sort out their zone exits.
A big portion of their struggles are tactical and the staff needs to make the appropriate adjustments in the way they play the actual game.
The 4th line two years ago (Bolland Frolik Kruger) is/was far better than the current 4th line, hands down. Of course Winnik is a better player than Burish — it’s a question of SALARY CAP. The Hawks aren’t the only team that would like Winnik; they are likely the most salary strapped team in the mix for him. I agree the Hawks could use some scoring punch on the 4th line; however, they are strapped by salary cap unless they are able to unload one of the larger contracts. Unlikely. All that being said, Burish is a better fit than Nordstrom/Carcillo/Rockford Young Forward that Q would play 5 mins per game. If they end up acquiring a forward — whoever it may be — Carcillo will be waived to accommodate the additional salary. Just compare Carcillo & Burish for 4th line/13th forward: Skating – even. Faceoffs – Burish. Versatility (center or wing) – Burish. Stigma (positively) w/ referees – Burish [I don’t believe Burish has ever been suspended]. Locker room – even (based upon speculation, I would lean toward Burish). Burish is solely in the minors based upon his horrendous salary commensurate w/ his production (or lack thereof). If the Hawks can acquire Winnik, I’m all in.
Well, as a growing number of prognosticators and fans are concluding, the 2014-15 Hawks are unlikely to win a Cup. There are too many holes on this team, and in hindsight Stan Bowman rolled the dice on this season when in fact he probably should have been more aggressive on roster reconstruction to best position the Hawks for a 3rd Stanley Cup run in 2015-16 and 2016-17.
There is a crap ton of work to do this offseason. And it’s going to be make or break work given the salary cap, the monster size of the Toews / Kane contracts and that Saad is up for a new contract.
There is another sobering reality at work, which is troublesome. Most of us have been impressed and/or seduced by how deep the Hawks are in prospects. But the reality is that the Hawks have been OK in cranking out role players, but the number of overhyped prospects and disappointments is grow, grow, growing. Take a look at Jimmy Hayes, Brandon Pirri, Jeremy Morin…then take a look at the dramatically ratcheted down assessments for Clendening…and McNeil now appears to be just another guy. Most sobering of all (to me), is Teuvo. Sorry gang, but I ain’t a fan, at least so far as the Blackhawks go and the system of hockey we try to play. This kid may have all the skill in the world (which I’m no so sure about), but he is a pip squeak on ice who in my estimation is nothing more than a novelty act in the making. This kid will never operate even within 5 feet of the dasher boards or behind the net. He is the furthest thing on the planet from Kane.
So the offseason gameplan if it were me?
1. Let Rosy, Oduya, Richards walk of course.
2. Let Kruger walk out of cap necessity, which will stink because he is superlative on defense and the PK.
3. Trade Sharp…because of the “core” he really is on the only option to trade in order to have salary cap breathing room to do what needs to be done otherwise
4. Trade Teuvo on the premise of not waiting until his trade value erodes
5. Trade Bickell, and be prepared to throw in a decent prospect in order to lose that albatross of a contract
6. Acquire a serious veteran blueliner…the money that needs to be spent has to start on defense
7. Hope like hell that McNeil, Danault and Nordstrom can become roles players and part of the every game 12 man forward mix
8. Hope like hell Johns or Dahlbeck can crack the top 6 defensive mix
Leddy being traded was 100% due to cap restrictions
@ Rufus
I like your plan 1-3. I would also like to trade Raanta there is probably some value with him and upgrade Darling to the backup. I believe that saves the Hawks about 600-900K(RIP cap geek website) plus I am not a fan of Raanta and would like to see more Darling too so that’s a no brain’er for me.
I keep Tuevo because he’s cheap and has good upside. Believe it or not I keep Bickell because 4 million is not bad for a guy that performs in the playoffs. Hawk need a guy like Bickell on their team. Bickell’s playoff potential is worth more then what another GM would give us for him IMO. Unless,………however if some reason the Sen like a Methot for Bickell deal now I make that. Methot is about 250K cheaper. If not I make an offer to Marc Methot in the offseason if he’s available.
I really hate beating a dead horse but keeping Oduya over Leddy is looking really bad right now. Oduya on the 3rd pair is just sad!
I don’t know how many others, but I certainly haven’t given up on the Hawks winning the Cup this season – whether they acquire a player or two via trade or not. Winning the Cup is always a mix of good team and good fortune. The Hawks are still a good team and some bumps in the road half way through the season are not proof of their demise. Maybe the Hawks don’t win the Cup this year – but I’m not counting the out unless they don’t make the playoffs.
The Hawks are playing without Versteeg and TVR. Their contributions are now clear. Steeger comes back, TT goes to Rockford. TVR comes back, O’D and Rosy split games. Many teams are playing uninspired hockey. One night they’re a world beater and the next night they stink. Veteran coach Mike Keenan said that the coaches’ hardest task is to get the players up for a game. Stan Bowman would shuffle lines such that the players didn’t know who was going to be their linemates until they showed up for the game. For fans, which version of the Hawks will show up tonight?
Rosy and Oduya seem to be out the door no matter what. I think Crawford should be gone as well, and soon. He is not the all-star he thinks he is, and I’m dead tired of his downer attitude with the press whenever he’s interviewed after games – win or lose. He won a cup in a shortened season and he’s never been consistent through an entire campaign – ever! Let Darling play!
ER, Fuck No James!
I know some of us die hard/Bruce Willis guys are hard, real hard about statements, and I want what they want too. There is no perfect roster.
I`m not sure if Patrick Sharp has a NMC but if not, I`d trade him now to Arizona for Martin Hanzal. Then use the extra cap space now to add a sold stay at home Defenseman for the playoffs as well.
@ Jim Ross – Why would Arizona trade Hanzal for Sharp?
Raanta has been a stud most games, more athletic then Crawford. I’d trade Corey. If we can move Sharp & Bickell for Yandle & Vermette That’d be great but I think contracts wouldn’t match up? The defense miscues are unacceptable yet keep happening. We are a bottom tier playoff team today. Remember the cap was supposed to be 1-2 million higher. Boston & Chicago signed players based on that & got screwed. That said let’s hope our boys figure it out NOW or retool this summer.