What Should The Blackhawks Do Before The Trade Deadline?
First, having the bye week immediately following the All-Star Game sucks. It’s been too long since the Blackhawks had a game, and they were hot going into the break. We can only hope the team can carry the momentum they had before the break over into February.
When the Hawks get back on the ice on Saturday, we’ll be less than four weeks away from the NHL Trade Deadline (Monday, Feb. 24).
Should the Blackhawks be buyers or sellers at this year’s deadline?
Good luck deciding. Chicago was 8-7-0 in December, winning six of their last eight before the calendar flipped over to January. After the Blackhawks rolled to a 6-4-0 record in January the door is open for a potential postseason run.
However, before we call the Hawks buyers, let’s examine the schedule in February. Before the deadline the schedule makers lined up a slate of games that will serve as a good test of the Blackhawks’ playoff viability.
Eight of the Hawks first nine games in February are on the road – and most of them are against playoff teams (currently). Trips to Arizona, Winnipeg (twice), Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary will give the Hawks a good idea of whether or not they should buy or sell. Chicago plays in Winnipeg two Sundays in a row; they host Boston in the middle of the eight playoff games.
The Hawks last three games before the deadline are at home against the Rangers (Feb. 19) and Predators (Feb. 21) before a game in Dallas on Sunday the 23rd. The games against Nashville and Dallas could put the Hawks in the playoff picture – or serve as the final blows to their playoff dreams.
If the Blackhawks remain competitive and the rest of the Western Conference continues to beat itself up, Chicago could be in a position to buy at the deadline.
But should they?
There are two players who the Hawks should consider moving between now and the deadline. One of them is a strong sell; the other comes with future considerations.
The Blackhawks should move Erik Gustafsson before the deadline. Rookie Adam Boqvist has replaced him on the top power play unit and has played well enough to merit additional playing time. Given the Blackhawks’ organizational depth on the blue line, anything the Hawks could get back for him would be a positive. Chicago needs to start finding ways to open doors for other youngsters, and the reality that Ian Mitchell will be in the NHL soon requires a roster spot to be available at the top level of the organization.
What the Blackhawks do with Robin Lehner is another situation.
Lehner has been a savior for the Hawks far too many nights this season, and has been worthy of his $5M contract. Indeed, if the Blackhawks are in a playoff position at the deadline it will likely be due to Lehner being a marvelous addition to the roster. However, Lehner is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Because of that reality, his name has started to pop up in trade speculation from some of the league’s top insiders. Carolina has specifically been linked to Lehner.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have also reportedly had a few conversations with Lehner’s camp about his future with the team. He has openly told the media he doesn’t feel that he should take a discount to re-sign with Chicago – nor should he. Lehner deserves to get every penny he can as a professional athlete, whether that’s in Chicago or elsewhere.
How the Blackhawks mitigate his financial requests with the rest of their upcoming contractual concerns is up to the front office. The salary cap isn’t going away – and isn’t going up quickly, either. So re-signing/extending players like Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik are equally important to the Blackhawks short-term future; the lack of top-end forward prospects in the organization makes that even more important.
If the Blackhawks cannot reach a point in their conversations with Lehner’s camp where they feel he’ll be in Chicago after this season, they need to trade him. This team isn’t winning a championship as-is, but they might be able to add assets that could improve their chances of making a deep postseason run in the coming years with the return for a goaltender of Lehner’s caliber.
There are other names that have been included in trade rumors around the Hawks. Brandon Saad’s name has come up a number of times in a few well-respected places as a player other teams would be interested in acquiring. He’s under contract beyond this season, however, and is an important part of the Hawks roster. If the Hawks considered moving him, the price should be high.
So what will the Blackhawks do before the deadline? There are 11 games between now and Feb. 24 on their schedule that will play a huge factor in what they decide, but they should be proactive planning for the immediate future after the 2019-20 season.
Trade Gustafsson. Recall Carlsson.
Besides the obvious question how far can they really go this year, any cap acquired under ltir room has to be accounted for by June 30th to make sure no bonus overages are carried to July 1st and count against next seasons daily caphit. That will probably make being buyers extremely unlikely, unless it’s a player who is part of the picture for next few years too.
Gus will no doubt be moved, Caps Gm said at allstar wknd, that with their limited space they would like a 2nd pair Dman to play with Orlov, maybe be interest there for Gus. Lehner agree have to decide on signing or moving soon, unlikey he resigns if traded.
Bye Gus!
Would love to keep Lehner but I can’t see it happening unless he takes a lot less than he deserves after keeping our guys afloat this season.
Will be interesting to see if Crow gets bites…
First of all,I would not consider December and January records of 8-7 and 6-4 to be rolling along.Mediocre is more like it.We all know that Gus has to go.Lehner and or Crawford should be moved for prospects.Fans have to understand that you cant lose players for nothing.If Strome is hesitant in signing a Bridge Contract I would move him.If there are any takers at all move Zach Smith.The schedule works out well for making moves.By late next week we will know if this team is a playoff team or not.
Excellent overview at lunchtime on a Tuesday. Let’s read the posts later tonight, etc… and see the comments thereto.
Good day to all.
Good post! They are in the same dilemma as the many teams fighting for a playoff spot right now. I would not throw in the towel. If the Hawks throw in the towel u can forget Kane, Towes, Keith and Craw. They will quit on the ice with nothing to play for. We also can’t afford any more young players to be moved. I would think Lehner would come back for fair market value. I also would not move Craw now. This would be very bad for the clubhouse. Let’s get Stome and Shaw back on the ice and let this play out until the end of the season.
Trade both goalies for draft picks and if you can Keith as well. The time is here to restock while you still have assets to bargain with. This team isn’t one player away it needs help in all areas.
They have nine games to figure this out. Then go from there.
Greyhawk that is the thing on moving Lehner, what message does it send, if playoffs is really the goal, you don’t do it. Crawford can control his own destiny, if he wants to stay, a 10 team list of teams who aren’t i interested in trading for him is all it takes. He could if he wants put 1 or 2 teams he would go to if he wanted and 8 or 9 that wouldn’t be interested him also. He is far from the mercy of a fire sale.
If Blackhawks make playoffs Mitchell will sign his elc and fill his void if they struggle to fill his spot. Others like 20, 65, 44, 15, 6 who have term left have limited value at tdl for cap strapped contenders looking for a rental. Cagguila an rfa or
64, 22 locked into low hits could have some interest as return wouldn’t be costly to acquire.
Looks like draft and heading up to it after playoffs coukd be really busy in trades for Bowman then.
Meant Mitchell fill Gus’s void if needed.
That 8-7 record in December is a little misleading. I think the more telling number is they are 12-6 in their last 18 games. The next 8 games or so are against a bunch of teams battling for WC positions in the West (and the Bruins). If the Hawks come out of that well, they could actually have one of the WC spots. Then, you maybe tweak the roster for a playoff run. If they are 6 or 8 points out, sell for prospects or picks. It is so hard to make up points without playing teams head-to-head that you need to win 8 or 9 in a row to make up 5 points.
I would love to see Crawford dealt and Lehner offered a contract. There is 11m tied up in those two, so surely they could give Lehner 8m per. I think Gus is expendable at this point since Boqvist has stepped up.
Gus will be moved. Does Lehner want $10 mil a year like Bobrovsky? If the Hawks can get him for $8 mil, trade Crow -$6.5 mil, and teams are always looking for depth forwards that can kill penalties they could get a 4th or 5th for Smith -3.5 mil., and teams are always looking for depth on the blueline for the playoffs maybe they can move Matta -$4 mil.? There’s the money for Lehner. Thinking Strome will get a little less because of his injuries. I would keep Cagguila. When put with top 6 players he steps up to the plate and delivers. Just needs to stay out of the box.
For a good read on Stan, scouts and trading with teams, here is a good read:
Bhttps://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/longread/how-kubalik-became-blackhawk
Stan has to rely on scouts overseas and in the US to find talent. I think International and Drafts have been ok with Stan. Trades, ok but what is interesting is that some teams help us when stan makes a bad trade and vice versa.
May He needs some better people on his team that can:
1. Place the right value on your own talent: Seabrook’s contract.
2. Judge of talent when it comes to signing UFA’s like Manning last year. Did really good with Carpenter and Lehner this year.
The trades were ok if you look at Maata/Nylander for Kahun/Henri.
As for the playoffs, if the Hawks get into the wild card and go through the Pacific would be a lot easier than through CO and STL. I am not sure there is a team in the pacific that could be the Hawks in 7 outside of Vegas.
If the Hawks can upgrade on DEF while trading away GUS and/or Smith I am all for it. If they can get the pens trade galchenyuk (time is way down) maybe the hawks can get his career back on track since he is only 25. That would free up Pitts to get a few FW since they lost Jake G to injury. Just my thoughts. I look forward to getting lambasted by the group if I am way off.
I haven’t seen his name come up, but if other clubs are interested in Strome I think it is worth considering. I’m not against signing him to a bridge deal either, but if I’m looking 2-3 years out at our centers hopefully Dach is #1 and Jonny #2 (with hopefully a couple more years in the tank). I’m okay with Strome, but I don’t consider him core by any means.
While I’m here, keep Saad and sign Kube. Along with Dcat that’s not a bad left side.
Wait a week before the deadline and see we are in the standings and get rid of bad contracts. Trade Lehner and either Connor Murphy or Maatta (since 44 is injured).
If Strome refuses a bridge contract, I would trade him as well. His foot speed is a major weakness unlike Schmaltz who will be in the NHL a long time. Another bad trade.
Oh yes, fire the GM, Coach Kelley and Gauthier! And Scotty in Florida who is sleeping all day.
Question for Stan: Where are Iacopelli and Beau Starrett, 3rd round picks 2014?
Question for Hull – can’t you do a little research to determine facts or are you just too lazy? Take a look at all players drafted after Starrett and Iacopelli in 2014. The only names I recognize are Devin Toews, Victor Arvidsson and Dylan Sikura. So which GM’s ate Stan’s lunch? Who were the big physical players we missed on? I guess the facts don’t fit your narrative.
Was wondering why no one potsed in last 12 hrs. Everybody is here/in this thread.
I think were 7 games over .500 the last 17 games. Which means another 6 over .500, in the last 30? games, is very likely if we ‘play’ in more then 50/50% of the games.
12-15-6 to 24-20-6 before the last game.
We have gone 12-5-0, before last game, that is on a roll for us-this yr/when only ‘playing’ in 50/50% of the time until that 17 game patch.
Ian, good post on ltir and player bonuses paid off and not counting against next yrs cap. Very important.
Tim, totally agree on moving the goalies and anyone we can. Not sellout but we can Not get nothing for any guy, especially in the position were in for loading up the young wave. We Have to add to that young wave, not leave it in the dust-with worrying which players will/wont resign.
I am going to take the, marvelous signing of Lehner at only 5m, to another notch and say that this was the nest signing of the YR. People can debate/close with the trade for Kubalik as right there as well.
Lehner at 5m for free. Kubalik for a 5th.
These two moves are Hugh for the Blackhawks reloading the young wave. We added two very good players for a 5th pick. Even if we trade Lehner at deadline, we would be getting a very good prospect-that should be a good player, to add to the young wave. So these two moves this summer were key.
Lehner at 5m is the signing of the YR.
Ian, your making excellent points. What about this though, Others like 20, 65, 44, 15, 6 who have term left have limited value at tdl for cap strapped contenders looking for a rental.
We could do 50% retained and andd a bad contract with our luxury of having 11 m in capspace with the ltir guys. To add a prospect and get a top 10 team a depth player like one of those guys or two of them.
MS- why let facts get in the way of a good narrative. Arvidsson btw was in his 2nd draft eligible year.
Bisket, good post basically said same thing before I read your post, as I was reading thourhg and posting as I go along. Same thoughts as yours.
Tony, same thing here, thats what I think and we also have cap going up about 2.5-3 m every yr so we have that to.
2020, we would have to be 7 seed to get our feet wet the same path that NAS and COL gained playoff winning confidence. Would have been interesting if NAS and COL had to earn it through the central like we did all those yrs-when starting out. Think about it, we had to Earn ours agasint STL NAS in 1st rounds in 2010 and 2015. Much much harder, as Tazer says once you get past the 1st round, your in playoff rythem.
What do you think the price on Robby Fabbri would be? I thought the Hawks should have made a run at an offer sheet this summer as it wouldn’t have cost any picks. Really reclaimed his career in Detroit.
I am guessing Bowman and crew will play it safe/smart and trade and add at deadline. We prob donot trade both goalies at deadline-which would be best for return to add to young wave, so if we need to sign Lehner by deadline or we might have both goalies until draft and not get any return-good return foe one of them.
That would not be cool/wise.
Looking at the record this yr, this way makes it stand out for the better. Once we got a more normal sch it was alomost night and day. BEcause the forst 10 games where the sch was ‘fixed’ we really sucked/3-6-1.
12-15-6, 31 games to win 12
12-5-0, 17 games to win 12
I stand by my comment players are always better than picks when it comes to the fourth round plus. However the Seattle draft may well put a wrench in that logic so I acknowledge that. The fourth round and on is a crap shoot. Many players drafted 4plus take years to develop and often make an impact in their second or third team supporting the player over pick logic.
Any movement of either goalie (the most important player on the ice) should come with strong conditions such as additional first round picks for any finals or conference finals appearance and a trip to either drastically reduced the value of the pick. Hell the first round pick shouldnt even be front this year.
Feel the Hawks need to shed some redundancies on the roster to clear enough cap space to sign rfa’s they want to keep. Move players who don’t fit in future plans.
Decide on goalie, get what you can get for whomever doesn’t fit in plans, keep the one who does.
Move Gus.
Move Maatta, he is too expensive for a bottom pair defenseman on a (currently) non playoff team.
Wish there was a way to move Shaw. Not sure why they need both Caggiula and him on the sand team.
I would move Saad if the price was right, but otherwise keep him.
I would not be as eager to move Strome without finding an adequate replacement. He should be back.
Would love Smith to be moved, but Carpenter has more value. One of them needs to be moved, both can’t be on the roster after the deadline.
I’d say anything beyond the top 15 picks are crap shoots.
I agree that players are better than picks. It’s why I’d be more interested in prospects… depending on those prospects.
I think it would do us better to keep the better player, in 22 91 44, and trade 15 65 6. Then worry about if the pick is 75th or 90th pick.
Thats were we be selfish and keep the better players for a hair less return/which at that point in draft-who cares? Keep the better player-that also has the better caphit.
keep
40 22 92 44
trade
50 15 65 6
If we do not do that, then somebodys smoking swagg.
91 not 92
Fire Stan.
Period.
MS, the lazy one is Bowman. I am giving you the facts. I am not talking about other GMs, I am talking about Bowman. Answer the question, in 10 seasons not counting first round picks which everyone including TSN, ESPN or NHL.com knows who the players are, the real analysis is 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks where the depth on an organization is judged upon! GHence, a GM makes or breaks the team’s future.
Iacopelli, Beau, Haydcen, Anthony Louis…all these guys….what happened?
Max Carruth? Peeters? Nalimov?Palliota? on and on!
You want to defend Bowman, it’s your opinion…I have a different one, that’s all.
So, if Kane and Keith are part of the all decade team and Coach Q, best coach of the decade, where’s your accountant Bowman? Nowhere because the Architect was Tallon.
Saying Jackets Josh Anderson going to be traded. A big 6’3″ , 251lb rightshot winger. Rfa, won’t break the bank to sign. 20 goal scorer who plays with an edge. Anybody interested
I can’t think of a sensible scenario where Gus isn’t traded – so there’s that
One of the goalies should also go – whichever one they don’t sign by TDL – if you haven’t signed either I guess you move 40 and hope 50 will sign back in CHI for a good price
Carlsson could take Gus’ minutes or perhaps Stan picks up a low end rental for a 5th round pick
I wouldn’t mind seeing Smith traded but he has years left on his contract so I doubt any team would be interested, same with Maatta although there might be more interest there
Strome I believe will get a bridge deal and should IMO – my hope is that his skating improves (he’s still young enough) because his head for the game is very good
Strome has 30 its in 40 games compared to that mighty skater with the low hockey IQ Schmaltz’ 35 its in 51 games – OMG does that mean Strome’s .75 ppg is higher than Nicky’s .68 ppg – it can’t be true but yet it is
Not a fan of trading Saad unless the return is massive (highly unlikely)
Dale did not draft Keith – how many times does this need to be pointed out?
Hull – Hate on SB all you want, that is your right. But when you specifically call out draft picks then you should be able to identify who we could have picked instead. In many of these cases no players taken after our pick turned out to be NHL players. Lol – Louis is a 6th round pick! Are you also going to blame him for not trading up to get McDavid?
Ian – I’ve always liked Anderson, he plays hard with that big body. His numbers are terrible this year – any reason why?
Wrap – agree that Strome should get a bridge deal but we shouldn’t give any trade protection. Assuming Dach develops as we expect Strome may become a valuable trade piece down the road. I would also not move Saad. At some point we need to think about next years team and I think he is a solid part of the team that should be competing for a playoff spot.
Tallon has done a bang up job in Florida. How many top 3 picks has he had? I’ll help you out… 4 in 9 years. He also had 3 1st round picks in 2010 and came away with Gudbranson, Bjugstad, and Quinton Howden. Lawson Crouse at 11…thats a win! Oh, and he gave ALL the money to a 31 year old goalie. 7 years…TEN MILLION DOLLARS per. Yes, that’s the guy I want as a GM.
The only players of consequence Dale Tallon drafted as GM of the Hawks was Kane, Toews, Hjalmarsson. And I guess Kruger. Between the 06-08 draft years, other than 19 and 88 and Ben Smith…the players he drafted played a grand total of 12 NHL games. Talk about PUTRID. 20 players from 3 consecutive draft, classes 12 total games!
Every player on Columbus has had their offensive production crater.
Anderson has been out of the lineup twice due to injury. This last stint has lasted 6 weeks. His shooting % is a paltry 1.6%. Perhaps not coincidentally he has been out with a shoulder injury.
Let’s realize that the 6mil Crow is making this year is the 6.4mil DCat will make next year. Hope Lehner will sign for 4/5yrs 6/5 mil a year. If not we have to go with Crow at 1/2 yrs at 3/2mil. With Delia or other at back up.
Tallon was GM in CHI for 4 years – he’s been in FLA for 10 years, GM for 9 of those including this year where he has two playoff appearances and no playoff series wins
In more than twice the time in FLA than he was in CHI he hasn’t been able to build a winner – why? not for lack of genius surely
If he were in CHI with the record he has in FLA people would be calling for his head
Who drafted the role players we ahd that were ready for the 2008 season and the other half of them for the 2009 season. I forgot. That wasnt Tallon, some other GM we had. Guys like Buff Brow Frazal Burr Bolly Hammer.
Bowman has his problems but we really won 4 Cups, 2014, with Bowman. He managed the cap very well-to win Cups/not to build from scratch. If Tallon was gm during those yrs, we would havn won more then 2 Cups. He would have kept Buff Ladd other and traded Sharpy Hammer other.
Bowman chiseled out the right core from that wave of players we had then.
Not an option for this year, but as a possible cheap free agent top 4 defenseman next year … Slava Voynov. Not sure how I feel about him. What he did is abhorrent. But it’s been 6 years.
Tallon did bring Sharp in for Matt Ellison. If ‘players’ are better than ‘picks’, then that should be given some high value. Bowmans trades have never been of that caliber.
Tallon also signed Niemi… you know that winning Stanley goalie. He also signed Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Versteeg, Kopecky. Would argue better than some on the current roster. And though was nut job contract, he did bring Hossa.
Sit on your time out chairs boys .
D cat is a perfect example of a Hawk who played beyond potential and was ,,,once again over paid ,,,Ship him out for picks at trade deadline .
Lehner is not worth over 6 million a year ….trade him for picks …player .
Keep Crow …Dalia back up . Sign Crow 3 million .
We need to be sellers at deadline, we have some nice pieces but …perhaps 2022.
Come on Stan !
Have you fellows ever looked at the roster?
When this team was winning they rolled 4 lines. Right?
Most of you what to put 88 with 19, NO!
For you kids information the Hawks found back then it was unproductive to put 21 with 9.
Now back to the roster they have a lot of centers and left wings. Who do they have at right wing? 88 and 65. They tried 20 but poor production. 77 is a center (future 1C) so you are going to bang him up along the boards and he will not get experience as a NHL center? When he does start at center it will be a new learning curve. 91 seems to be the only one that could fit (works hard and will do the digging) as he would be a feeder to 19 & 8.
20 and 8 are your best LWs, the league has figured out 12. The problem with the line of 12, 17, & 88 is the wings are poor on D, which means 17 has to do all the back checking.
20 is the closest thing they have to what Hoss brought to the team.
Question, when 40 was pulled on the west coast, coming off the ice, who was he yelling at?
Question what start the fight between 2 & 19 at practice?
here’s a couple of points to keep in mind..
1. When the trade deadline passes, the Hawks will have played 62 games..I’m not that concerned with how their record looks after those 62 games, I’m more interested in how many lottery teams the Hawks play in their last 20 games..by my count, it’s about 5..the rest are against playoff contenders or teams that have already solidified a playoff spot..that’s not a soft enough schedule for me to assume that the Hawks can put together another 13-7 or 14-6 run over the last twenty games..so to me, being a buyer is out of the question..
2. Keep in mind that if the Hawks make the playoffs this year, it will be as a bubble team..they haven’t had any 3-4 game stretch this year where they absolutely dominated their opponent..the odds of them winning 16 of their next potentially 28 in the playoffs are not good..every year 30 out of 31 teams don’t win the cup..this was always a developmental year for the Hawks w hopefully enough added in the off season to make the playoffs and make a run..but we shouldn’t let that cloud us to the fact that this isn’t a Stanley Cup caliber team..
3. So who gets traded? Start with everyone who is UFA..that’s obviously Gus..as Tab correctly stated, Boqvist is already more dependable defensively and has always had higher upside offensively..I would also look to move each of our goalies..this theory that we should keep one in case we make the playoffs? Why? So we can win maybe one round? This team doesn’t have enough secondary scoring or defensive depth to win a Cup..if you have a chance to ship out Crow and Lehner, you do it in a heartbeat..they’re both UFA..have conversations after the season about resigning..bring in assets if they’re available..I’d also look to move Smith and Maata if possible(I’m not impressed with Maata and I’m fine having Keith, Boqvist, Murphy, and Mitchell as a nucleus for the blueline next year)..if not, I’d exercise buyouts for each next year since they’re each replaceable and their buyouts aren’t unattractive..I’d much rather have Kubalik next year than Maata so that’s where his cap savings would go..
4. Resign Strome..I’m not sure why drafting Dach somehow means that Strome doesn’t fit into the long term plans for the Hawks, but trading Strome means you’re completely confident that Dach will develop into a number one center and you’re also confident that Toews will remain at least a number two quality center for the next few years..why risk both of those assumptions when you have a young, quality center that you can sign? Strome allows you to bridge the divide between Dach and Toews..if Toews starts to regress, you have Strome to help carry the offensive load as he continues to develop..if Dach develops within the next two years into a number one center, then you have real center depth as Toews gets older..and Strome will only be 25 in two years..not exactly long in the tooth..also keep in mind that the Cat produces better with Strome as well..so trading him effectively hurts one of your wingers too..anything under $5.25 I sign Strome for 3-5 years immediately..a 21 year old Dach, a 25 year old Strome, and a 34 year old Toews could be very solid down the middle..exactly what you need for a LONG playoff run..especially if you draft a high end winger this year..then Toews could have Kubalik on his line along with the new forward you draft, Dach could have Kane on his line, and Strome would center the Cat..now you actually are starting to look like a team with four lines..
Niklas Nordgren….5’9″ thx Mark Kelley and Stan! We need more smallish 170 wingers.
Slayer,Man I was right with you till #4.I don’t see anything above a 3rd line Center in Strome.His skating is terrible.In Colliton,s man to man system he has no hope of ever keeping up with his check.His defensive zone awareness is non existent.He often stands stationary putting a body on no one.He has great difficulty in the faceoff circle losing the bulk of key faceoffs.He had a couple of years to improve his skating and other shortcomings with Arizona and never progressed hence he was moved.If he does not accept a Bridge Contract, for maybe 3.5 for 2 years,I would move him.That would give him the opportunity to improve his all around play.Now I know that I am just howling at the moon here because the Hawks seem to love him and will give him the big money.For what its worth,I think the way Debrincat has played this year should concern the Hawks also.But,I have been wrong before so we shall see.I love your top 3 bullet points.Very well said.
#1. Either sign Lehner or trade him before the TDL.
#2. Trade Gustafsson.
Anything else is gravy.
The best case scenario, IMO, is Stan makes a couple good moves at the TDL (prospects or picks), the Hawks miss the playoffs and have a shot of getting a very good player in the draft. Forget about this season – the Hawks aren’t good enough to beat the best teams in a 7 game series – let alone (4) 7-games series. Do what is possible to have a better team next season.
Some things to improve the team for next season have already been successfully done. Dach, Kubalik and Boqvist are not main pieces and will only get better with more game experience. Nylander still has a chance to be part of the plan and the way Koekkoek has played lately he might be part of the mix too. Add Mitchell to go along with Keith, Boqvist and Murphy and that could be a pretty good top-4 with deHaan and Koekkoek in the mix too. The bottom of the forward roster is in better shape than it’s been in the last couple years with Kampf, Highmore, Caggiula, Carpenter and Smith so there should be some combination there than can provide solid 4th line minutes and PK.
Sign Lehner, solidify the backup goalie position, get a high draft pick and take our chances next season.
Edit to above post:
Dach, Kubalik and Boqvist are NOW main pieces – (not “not main pieces”).
I go back and forth about trading anyone on the roster except for Gus and Dylan Sikura. I think having Lehner on the roster the rest of the way enhances our playoff chances. I was all for trading Crawford, but now I think he’s a great insurance policy, a great teammate, and still a great GK. Let’s roll with both of them. Plus, why make another team stronger? We aren’t going to get equal value for a GK on an expiring contract.
I would not trade Strome right now because his value is at its lowest. I would give him a prove-it contract for next year, and if he’s back to being productive, we can move him next season. But, we need a solid center who is on a UFA that a team needs to trade; otherwise, we aren’t making the playoffs this year. We will have to trade the pick(s) that we get for Gus to get that center.
I think Shaw is done, or close to being done. So, let him retire as a Blackhawk and we get to recoup his salary towards the cap.
Saad still has immense value to us. Carpenter and Smith will stay, Smith too expensive, Carpenter 4th line guy.
Gus will be replaced by Mitchell, and a roster spot should convince Mitchell to sign with us and not give us the Kevin Hayes treatment. So, we must trade Gus with all of his defensive acumen.
Sikura as a sweetener with Gus, so we can get a 3rd round pick to flip for a center.
Slayer schedule is actually looks pretty good for a run after tdl. 10 games against non playoff teams ( 7 home 3 road) against potential east playoff ( 1 home 4 road)teams and 5 games against west potential playoff teams ( 4 home 1 road). Also Dach been playing center with Strome and Kampf playing wing and taking fos, so his learning curve is already well along, just needs to spend off season improving hjs fo skill. Tim agree think Strome is better on thue wing, for now at least in the D zone.
Mo thing is if you add cap and have say for arguments sake 2m in bonus overs, then caphit on June 30th has to be down to 79.5m to cover them. Any expiring contracts don’t come off until July 1st. So more you add the more moves needed to address bonus overs.
Unless this team totally tanks in the next nine games I don’t see the Blackhawks’ front office being sellers. Even if it’s the smart thing to do.
As mentioned in some posts above, selling is also only smart if you get back what you need for the future.
They could move Lehner and still try to sign him post season as a FA. I don’t know if Crawford brings in the needed value as trade bait. He’s played good, not great. He’s also a known injury risk.
I don’t get the hate/disrespect for Crow or Caggiula. First Crow. You either want to trade a 2 time Stanley Cup winning goalie for one with little or no playoff experience at all (I forget if Lehner played a series or two with NYI or OTT). I’ll take my chances in the playoffs with Crow thank you. Lehner looks great this year don’t get me wrong but Crow has proven he is a big money game goalie whereas Robin has yet to prove that. Somehow that means to most of you that Robin is worth 6-9million/year as a starter but if we trade Robin then Corey is somehow expected to be happy with 3 million or less in a starting role. What are you guys smoking? I want some. Starter playoff winning and time proven goalies do not take massive paycuts to be in starter roles and why should they. Keep Lehner and Crow and give Crow backup status then maybe you get him for 2-3million and Lehner for 5-7million. But I’d trade Lehner for something good (high end prospect or decent roster player that fills a need or 1st/2nd round picks. Give Crow 5-7million and use for backup Lankinen, Delia or maybe even the other junior star forget his name now.
As to Caggiula, all he does is create havoc in the offensive zone, decently finish plays, good offensive instincts, and decent smart safe plays in d zone most of the time, kills penalties well, can play all over the lineup. We got him for nothing. Manning is AHL currently again and a lot of “you people” (yes I said it haha) want to either ship him out for a low round draft pick or park him on the 4th line for his career. I don’t get it. Just like I don’t get why we didn’t try Gus as a FWD as it’s been evident for years he has no interest in being or clue on how to actually be a responsible defenseman. But I also fail to see how Edmonton couldn’t figure out the same thing with Schultz. I mean the guy led the AHL in scoring for half the year from a defensive position, had incredible finish, and miniscule ability to play defense in his own zone. Same thing as Erik Karlsson and maybe Boqvist but he does seem to want to learn the d-side and is improving so jury’s still out there.
Yes trade Gus or make him your missing top 6 FWD already. The guy can shoot, has great chemistry with Kane, and seems to somehow be well liked by teammates even with all his atrocious giveaways and trips over the blueline. Yes defensemen need to know how to skate backwards. Wingers? Not so much.
Others- keep Saad, Dach is going to be a stud 1 C soon, maybe Strome reaches stud 2 C, Toews 3c later yes. Keep Maata and Koekoo and get Gilbert some more playing time. Test out Mitchell next year and let him be a black ace if we make playoffs. Seabs and Dehaan question marks til next season. Maybe Regula partners with Boqvist down the road or possibly Beaudin or Vlasic makes the grade. Enough depth in D already. Get some more stud Fwds in the pipeline. Like the Rockford rookie goal scoring chanp from World Juniors the center, forget his name. Maybe he takes 2 C from Strome in a couple years. Love Kubalik – the stud kid has 20 goals and I think only one or two have been with his biggest weapon- his cannon of a slapper/one timer. Wait til he figures out how to get that unleashed and where to do it from. Hello Laine and Ovechkin or Panarin like one timers. Oh yeah on that note, how about giving the guy a chance on more than 20 secs of pp time at a time. I like Dach in front and it won’t be long before Dach is a mainstay on pp1 but now I’d put Kubalik in front of the net or even try him at the Panarin/Ovechkin spot. Like Boqvist on pp1 too way better than Gus. Still not ideal defensively but improving fast.
Thoughts?
Gravel was the other backup option.
Darren and Slayer,
Lots of good stuff. looking into next year this is how I would keep the lines:
Toews/Kubs/?
Kane/Dach/?
Strome/Dcat/?
Carp/Kampf/?
You have Saad, Nylander, Shaw, Smith, Highmore and may they resign Cags. That is 4 really good lines to roll out. Just for the record though, the Hawks normally rolled out three lines on O and 2 on D in the playoffs especially the last one.
I am with you on Gus, the next 9 games use him like Buff. See what you have.
I like Crawford and Caggiula and if salary cap wasn’t a factor I would like the Hawks to hold on to them, but salary cap demands otherwise.
Assuming the Hawks can’t afford to keep both – it comes down to Crawford vs. Lehner and my choice is Lehner. No disrespect meant to Crawford but Lehner’s play has shown him to be the better goalie and coupled with Crawford’s age and injury history – Lehner is the easy choice for me.
Caggiula will cost more then the Hawks can afford for a 4th liner, which is what Caggiula should be once the top-9 is in better shape. I’m in favor of getting rid of Smith for the same reason – too costly. The fact that Caggiula has a troubling injury history factors in as well.
Nice to see a couple of positive articles out in the last couple of days on Barratt and Mitchell.It would be nice if Barratt could slide into a 3rd Center roll sooner than later.
@Darren, no disrespect for Crow here in my camp. At all. However, 50 has been concussed (a lot) and he’s older than Lehner (just turned 35 vs. Lehner 28). I don’t think Crow has enough left in the tank at 35, and I think Lehner is the better option at tuis point.
Agree with you on Caggs.
Just my two cents.
It’s time for HULL65 to take his medication.
Trade Crow before the deadline. He’s 35, an UFA at seasons end. Sorry guys but goalies capabilities almost always decline at this age. Out the door in my view. Gus? Gone. Strome? I am conflicted any whether or not to trade him but I firmly believe that his “bridge deal” should be < $5/year. Yes, his hockey instincts are better than Schmaltz but not is speed lacking but IMO he plays a very soft game. His forecheck for example is pathetic. Lehner will not sign with us or anyone for less than $7.5 AAV IMO.
Totally agree with Ebony Raptor. Those are the two situations that must be resolved by 2/24.
A couple of tidbits :
1) Cheveldayoff in Winnipeg openly says he’s looking for a top 4 defenseman. This would be a good landing spot for Gus. The two concerns are, Stan trades Gus to a wild card rival and Winnipeg beats us out for a playoff spot by a few points. Helping the enemy makes no sense. Secondly, Cheveldayoff fleeced Stan on 2 Andrew Ladd trades and the Byfuglien trade. Maybe Stan should avoid the guy.
2) Jim Rutherford in Pittsburgh says without hesitation, he wants to win NOW, this year. He’s willing to pay this price. He wants a forward. Hmmmm.
Rick Dudley was the Thrashers GM at the time of the Byfuglien trade…Was his first trade as GM
Hawks got back some nobody’s, Jeremy Morin, the 24th overall pick (Kevin Hayes) and the 54th pick (Justin Holl). Holl Stuck it out worked his butt off and finally has become an NHL regular and got paid. Kudos.
Jeremy Morin looked like a REALLY good prospect for a while. He had that freak injury thing in Columbus and was never the same since.
The first Ladd trade was also under Dudley.
I stand corrected Rusty. Chevy only rooked us once then, when he dealt Ladd back to the Hawks for a 1st rounder and we lost to St. Louis in 7. Ladd then went and got a sweet long term contract, this time from the Islanders.
Josh Anderson would be great- his family were our neighbours growing up so I’ve seen his hockey prowess grow from age of 3! Wouldn’t that be special- having him in a Hawks uniform- when he heals up!
Good lineage BTW- Anderson’s mother, Michelle Anderson, is a cousin of Sen. Frank Mahovlich and his brother Peter Mahovlich, NHL stars in the 1960s and ’70s. She often babysat for the two famous forwards’ families!
Whats with the Hockey Package on Direct TV tonight?The Oilers vs Flames game is not available.
Trading Lehner would most likely involve as most big name rentals do, conditional picks. If acquiring team advances a couple of rounds in playoffs, Lehner starts certain number of playoff games the pick moves up to 1st round and/or another added. A 2021 pick if he resigns. So if the team gets knocked off in 1st round and he signs elsewhere there could be a return that’s a little less appealing too.
I’ve got HULU live. Cheaper than direct TV.
The writing was on the wall for a fall for Ladd. Every number had been declining. Was it Garth Snow that gave him that contract on the island. 7 years 5.5 per. Woof.
Just read the Blackout fine print on the NHL Package.When Edmonton and Calgary play each other the Alberta Networks have exclusive rights and can black out the games between the 2 teams.It is always soldout.What is the problem?Anybody have Gary Bettman,s phone number?Kassian was just given a new contract, and since none of the Hawks will do it,I wanted to see someone pound Tkachuk.
Slayer, like Tim I agree with those moves. I would hope Strome takes 4m for 2-4 yrs for caphit, not being that high.
Linus Ullmark is out for 3-4 weeks in Buffalo…I just don’t see much in Buffalo that intrigues me enough to send a goalie to.
Captain Obvious told me that the outcome of the next 11 games are very important to what the hawks should do. Let’s say they are buyers by going 8-3. Just using the LTIR money and trading away Crow and Gus to Car receiving picks and Haula in return. We flip the picks to Tor for Kapanen. Get Gagner from Edm, Simmonds and Vatanen from NJ and Deslauriers from Ana for cap relief.
Keeping Kap and Vat for next year. Someone posted earlier that let’s say we do trade Lehner I can see 19 88 and 2 just mailing it in the rest of the season. I believe chemistry and team attitude is important.
Apparently Stan has had one or two meetings with Lehner’s agent in the last 2 weeks
Of course this is what he should be doing – doesn’t mean he’ll sign Lehner but he needs to know what it would take to sign him and then decide whether it’s in the Hawks budget
Even if Lehner could be signed at a reasonable rate Stan would want to see what the max return on a trade would be then weigh the two options
If Lehner does sign in CHI I wouldn’t expect it to be until closer to the TDL
Darren, good points on Kubalik. Most of his goals are 5on5 and hasnt really played PP. Well our PP isint a PP, I do not know what to call it. Braided hair-drop backs.
Wonder how many pts 8 has with 19 on 1st line, then he had with 20 64 8 line and that line was very good. Then when 8 get used to the league to take his normal shots, instead of being held-back some in hi style of shooting.
Mo, Kubalik got alot of points when Kane played with him and Toews, first of the season he was in transition mode too, smaller rinks and new team, so not a really a comparison that means anything.
Rusty can’t see Buffalo going for a rental goalie, they aren’t playoff bound this season.
Those 3 people in Tabs pic behind Gustafsson are what I picture Hull’s face to look like ALL THE TIME
It is time to consider the Seattle draft. I’m referencing who is anticipated as protected. I’ll throw a curve ball and say Seabrook waives his protection under anticipation Seattle does not take him.
Hey Rusty, take it easy brother, if you love Stan as a GM go ahead continue on that track. What was Mr. T’s favourite line; “I pity the fool”.
As many others on this board have said about our GM, he gets fleeced every trade! And I will restrain from his drafting ability beyong tye 1st round.
Trades like Buff, Ladd, Panarin, Schmaltz, Danault, Teuvo, Sharp, Johns, Leddy,…on and on…
Strome, as we can see, is a weak and painfully slow skater which is why ARIZONA (Rick Tocchet especially) had him on the forth line or in the minors. It’s not about his hockey IQ, it’s about his physical abilities and skating disabilities. Nick Schmaltz will have a long productive career and his skating is elite. If Perlini would have panned out, maybe that trade evens out, maybe?
Dcat will be okay scoring wise when JC finally decides who to play him with. If Strome comes back, that can be a match but on a 3rd line.
I think Dach needs to center Saad and Kane the rest of the way. Give Dcat some time with 19 & 8.
Get rid of the dead wood in 22, 15 (2 useless and expensive 4th line players). Sikura is done, please let’s not talk about Bowman’s pet anymore.
Trade Lehner at the deadline if the Hawks are out. But, I like the idea of firing Bowman, Kelley and JC first much better!
Go Hawks!
#Dale Hunter#Mark Hunter#EddieO#Sutter#PeterLaviolette
@Rusty,
I was laughing so hard I spit out my morning coffee once I scrolled up to look at the pic. OMG that lady. hahahaha
Hull, it’ll be ok. Deep breaths. Just wondering though, if you’re such a Tallon fan, why are you still here singing his praises? He’s been gone for years. Shouldn’t you be on Panthers boards firing up the troops and celebrating all their success under Tallon?……
….
Carpenter makes $1M a year and last I looked was the 2nd highest rated PKer in the league
But overpaid and useless…sure
Hull,Bravo on your Strome assessment.Unfortunately it is a similar situation to the Nylander trade.Bowman has to sign him to the 2nd Center money to save face on a questionable trade I would also add that at over 6.4 million a year the Hawks shouldn’t need to find Debrincat the perfect linemates.At 1 million a year Carpenter is afford
-affordable.
I’m not necessarily a Stan fan. He’s made bad trades. The Schmaltz for Strome and Regula trade is inconclusive. We know Strome is slow. We know Schmaltz isnt. But Schmaltz was struggling here. He had flashes, but more struggles. He’s not really a center and not really a wing. He’s not hard on the puck and he’s not good at draws. But when he was playing left wing he at times looked lost. And the only real production he had was with 88.
We all need to enjoy the good and be a little bit more positive. Like Morrison. The endless drivel of guys that can never do any good is like beating a dead horse. I mean really, your constant complaining about all the money ryan carpenter makes is absolutely unwarranted. He’s one of the best PK forwards in the league. When the team is healthy, he’s a 4th line forward. Thats what were gonna complain about?
You complain about them not getting Wahlstrom. Instead they got Boqvist…which you usually leave out the Boqvist part. Wahlstrom has 12 points in 27 AHL games and is -17. He had a mere 19 points in 36 NCAA games prior to turning pro. Would you really still prefer Wahlstrom? It’s OK to admit a good pick, but youd rather dwell on bad. Yes of course there’s been bad. EVERY GM has had bad trades. Dale has had more than a few. Hell, it looks like Stan got the better of Yzerman in the Perlini for Regula trade. Regula at least has upside. Perlini might not be in the damn league. Glad to hear you stop beating that drum.
You call Kubalik an AHLer. And now he’s in the running for rookie scoring title. You can be critical. I encourage it. But every once in a while its OK to admit when you’re wrong. The constant negativity questions one’s fandom. How can you be a fan when you so clearly hate everything about a team except MAYBE the sweater?
If you are going to be fair in assessing Strome, maybe mention that since he joined Hawks he is third on the team in point production (tied with DeBrincat over that time) with 0.83 ppg. He has his flaws, but producing points and generating offense is not one of them.
For those counting, Schmaltz has averaged 0.74 ppg over that same time period.
So far this clearly is a move that benefited both parties. Both players are thriving in their new environments and producing for their new teams. Why not leave it at that?
You can’t bash the Nylander trade and still not acknowledge that Jokiharju was a good pick.
@Strome…I’m not going to bash Strome. I think when healthy and physically fit, he is more than able to be a competent 2nd/3rd line center. Also, in my estimation and based on their play, I think both DeBrincat and Strome came into camp out-of-shape. To me, that is a cardinal sin for a professional athlete. I would go and train for a month on the sand to get ready for just pre-season, which got me ready for the season. Strome needs to be in his prime condition at all times, so his lack of top-end-speed is not so noticeable. Also, you can improve your speed by being leaner, more explosive, and have more lung capacity to go up and down the ice. He has the hockey IQ, but now needs to work on his fitness and I think he will be just fine. My opinion…
Rusty – well said! Also, when folks bring up various transactions they act like there are no salary cap implications. Unfortunately it is a very real part of today’s game, especially for the teams that spend to the ceiling. Schmaltz wanted a long term deal – the Coyotes gave him 7 years at almost $6m per year. You can also like the player but hate the contract demands.
Tommy – I believe I saw an interview with Strome who said he stayed in Chicago all or most of the summer to specifically work on fitness. I am not all-in on Strome but he does appear to be someone that is very serious about trying to improve his game. My view is that it is very tough to change your skating skills by the time you are in the NHL.
I for one totally agree. Stan has had hits and misses on his trades and draft choices. Like all GM’s in every sport. He is not Ryan Pace who couldn’t smell a good QB if one farted in his face..But that’s another story. My biggest complaint was the contracts he handed out. The no trade clauses and then having to add young players to trade those contracts. Also did he know Seabs would go downhill that fast as well as Keith? Keith still has something left but Seabs at 32-33 should have had years left. Schmaltz for Strome looks pretty even to me. Different skill sets and players. The one trade that I knew was a dog from day one was the Danault deal. You could see he was just coming into his own. Anyway I’m out of time and need to get back to work.
MS you are correct Strome spent all summer working with trainers and coaches according to reports. Years ago training camp was a time when players came back from off season to get in shape. Nowadays training is pretty much 365 days year routine. Even if away from team players today maintain a training schedule in off season, anybody coming to camp out of shape now is so far behibd his teammates, barring where injury prevents certain types of physical activity, teams insist on that from them now.
Greyhawk i have my beefs with Bowman but those big contracts look for all the world to me like an owner and marketing President wanting them locked up for rezt of their careers. Doesn’t seem like something Bowman would do, nor have the power to do all on his own, signing contracts of that magnitude.
Ian, I 100% agree that the contracts of Seabrook and Bickell came from above. The Keith deal has been a steal. Other than Seabrook and Bickell the only other really bad contract that has been handed out was Kruger. Has a NTC ever stopped the Hawks from moving a player? NTC’s can be waived. Its a rarity to hear the player use his. Kessel is the only one that comes to mind.
Ian, Washington has 2 defensemen in Hershey that are intriguing. Alexander Alexeyev and Martin Fehervary. Both are 20 years old. Both Left shots. They don’t really have anything beyond Connor McMichael and I don’t see them trading him. They’ve been really lean on picks in 2017 and 2019
Agree Rusty nmc are benefit is to give player a say in where he goes too, most players won’t stay where they aren’t wanted anymore.
Those 2 defense are supposed to be legitimate prospects, could maybe bring one back.
Tommy,I get what you are saying about Strome. My problem is with his lack of a hard edge and the puck watching in the defensive zone.Combine that with his poor skating and lack of improvement in the faceoff circle and I dont think he could ever be your #2 Center.If he plays with Debrincat you are going to need a strong skating defensive forward on that line and also maybe throw your top 2 defensemen out there with them.
I donot think Bowman or anybody, ‘cared’ if we got a good return or even fair because we had to chisel the core and really had no other way of doing it. It was get less for those players or we would have to trade rs to get under cap. For the Budd and Ladd and other trades in summer 2010. The 2nd Ladd trade, sure, I donot remember what it even was. I am just talking summer of 2010 a chiseled dynasty core.
Tim, I havnt been able to be good with balckout crap. I mean when you have directv, wgn, and locals-sports canals you should be able to get all blackouts games.
There should be a way to pay for any game, some way-canal wise. Theres just some games you cant get no matter waht.
Ian, thanks for correcting any-off info I post, not saying that sarcastically. I just try to post good ideas and cant rememeber everything. I always post without thinking before hand-I do not proofread.
I am not an editor and donot care if someone is drunk when they post.
That is beauty when people do drunk-post, they are trying to capture the spirit of the whole thing.
Any win streak the Blackhawks have had are against teams on a slump, with injuries, and back up goalies. There is indeed a lot of parity in the league outside the very top and very bottom…and Toews is right its about peaking at the right time. Ever see the winter classic video where he talks about that while driving to the United Center….he checks in with security Introducing himself as Toes…..toes. I get it some security isn’t going to know how to pronounce it but funny for a diehard fan.
Anyway speaking of peaking at the right time will all rookies make significant growth going forward this year and ….in the playoffs? Due to sheer number of rookies on this team yes I expect the team to be better at the end of the season than October.
So what are some things to consider?
Get a rough estimate of the Seattle draft…which defenseman is exposed, is Strome? Seattle draft alone may be reason alone to see what the trade market is for Strome.
What about Saad? Gonna not sign him to avoid the draft then sign him? What if Saad doesnt want to resign or the Blackhawks cant afford him or Saad wants to much. Try figure it out now. If the return is a rookie who is still growing with a high ceiling I say do it.
As far as trading goes…any pick after the 2nd round so third and up you can expect to wait three plus years from now to even make the roster let alone make an impact four or five away…which plays into my player over pick logic. So many things can happen I three years including injuries. Toews and Kane deserve help now. The depth is the problem here. Seabrook contract whatever it’s off the books this second and I hope he comes back better than he was. Every team has a bad contract.
Any pick they get should be used to get hot prospect if possible……not another markov dano or what’s his face from the islanders that never saw the light of day. Someone who is in minors or juniors that a team just isn’t ready to play due to logjam or contractual availability.
This is where moving Gus or Saad comes into play. Target a team going for the cup and snag a legit rookie or prospect if you can…someone not eligible for Seatle draft.
Get players who are not Seattle draft eligible who will make an impact. Trade high end picks if needed. Get this team sorted out with players who can play now or next year.
Reminder…by the time a third round pick plus plays toews and kane keith Seabrook will be off the books. anyway get them help now or someone who you really anticipate will play next year or can come in as a rookie this year. Start working on the Seattle draft and get prospects that can help now or next year.
The goalie situation. Ideally they both come back. Realistically not. Rumor is Crow wants to be definitive starter? Love Crow. I do. However I see the last three seasons, not his fault, hes not a definitive starter right now. and to be fair some of Lehners success can be attributed to Crow. But if one or both will not sign…the sooner you figure this out the better.
Bottom line either goalie moved needs to come with extremely nice conditional picks….most important player on the ice.. .I’m talking first round pick three years from now for a cup final appearance good conditional
MS, that makes a difference. At the time I thought no way for Schmaltz at 6m, maybe hes worth 4m caphit. Same here for Strome, when people say 5-5.5 I think no way maybe hes worth 3.5m caphit.
Now when it came to Debrincat, scoring 30 then 40 goals, I am thinking 6-6.5 is good/fair. Then why does he suck this yr-soph slump a yr later?
I though 6m for 8 was crazy, like I do 5.5 for 17 now.
So Jordy was tight all along, with 17 not being worth more then bridge. Not yet he isint.
Theres nothing wrong with rewarding 4 and 16 a couple yrs later, when we could-salary cap wise, then stay with that wicked deal for team. 4 and 16-until wrist thing, were wicked players way beyond there caphits. Those guys were terminators.
My point is n some yrs we have the luxury to do Rozy at 2.2 and Leads ay 2.0, then when we cant and Leads wants 5m, ahh your out of here 3rd pair D guy. Rozy stays for league min .650m
So I tihink when we did 4 and 16 for higher hits, thats was ok like that.
Otherwise sure caphits make a difference, unless being on one of those kind of yr/yrs.
Trade Lehner to Carolina, get first round pick and Teravinen.