Joined: Jun. 2018
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Only way I consider this is if Patches is extended, and at something reasonable in term and rate. Anisimov is worth a 2nd rounder, and you are adding in another 2nd and a first. Rental Patches is not worth 2 2nd's and a 1st. I personally would not do that trade even for an extended Patches. I would save the cap space and assets and let DCat, Hayden, and Sikura play more prominent roles (then they will with Patches here) and would not be surprised to see one or even two out produce Patches.
The Hawks are more then a Patches away from being a legit Cup contender (as in the whole enchilada). With or without Patches, I don't see the Hawks as more then playoff team that maybe wins a series (and that is with a lot of things working out ideally...Crawford is right, Toews/Saad bounce back, Keith/Seabs find the fountain of youth, lots of luck with health, etc). The Hawks need a kid if not two of their young D to breakout and be impactful at the NHL level and I see this year as a growing pains/developmental year where hopefully a couple are ready next year after taking some lumps this. If you have the cap space in hand, you can plug holes next off season when guys like not only Patches, but Stone, Duchene, Sequin, Panarin, Skinner, Eberle, Pavelski, Skinner, Hayes, Brassard, Wheeler, Nyquist, Zuccarello, Nelson, Simmonds, Silfverberg, & Lee are all currently in route to be UFA forward options (and I know many will not make it to market...but I bet several will and not cost a 1st and 2 2nds). Not even getting into Toronto, Winnipeg, & Tampa would seem to maybe need to shed a useful forward each to make the cap work. Even further, the Hawks best utilization of cap space maybe on D if none of the kid blossom as expected/hoped or if Crawford does not bounce back.