Why in the world would Buffalo make that trade?

To have an excellent partner for Power, to reach the cap floor and to sort out our plethora of middle 6 forwards

The logic is sound but Murphy is not an "excellent partner." And you're not giving up a Top 6 center for that.

I'm comfortable with my trade. Take care

Chicago rejects, we'll pay for Johnson but Murphy is staying

Looks like I did a good job

Who's a top 6 center? Certainly no one in this trade.

I'm ALL for sending assets away to shed TJ and Connolly. I just don't see Murphy going anywhere. The Hawks will ride it out before they trade Murphy away.

Yeah, i would do this. Makes our right d much better.

Why isn't Murphy an excellent partner? And who exactly is the top 6 center you are referring to?

Him and McCabe we're supposed to be a "shut down" pair and they are a disaster

Well the term "disaster" is a bit of stretch in terms of the pairing, but is large in part on McCabe who has trouble clearing the zone making a couple bad passes resulting in turn-overs and even goals per game. So that's why I asked you think Murphy isn't an excellent partner...I'm guessing you don't watch the Hawks much?

Also, why do you think Mittelstadt is a top 6C?

For the record, I don't like this trade at all for the Hawks. I wouldn't move Murphy to dump Johnson to acquire a 3C and a #6/#7 D man which the Hawks have plenty of.

You save 7 million in cap space per year for 2 years and replace strome. It's both a hockey trade and a money trade. 2 birds

At the expense of our 2nd best D man which is not ideal. We also have plenty of 3Cs, that's not a problem given Reichel who arguably is already ready and Borgstrom. I'm also not convinced Strome is out. Cap is also manageable next offseason and there is a lot of cap space the year-after so moving cap isn't a priority for the Hawks.

Murphy is hands down a better asset then Mittlestadt and a critical piece whereas Mittlestadt isn't so it doesn't meet the definition of a hockey trade.

I simply don't agree, oh well. Merry Christmas.

Edit: just for fun, you have 23 million in cap space and only 10 players under contract. That means you have 23 million to sign 13 players.

Those 13 players include Kubalik, Strome (or his replacement), Dach, and both goalie spots.

Good luck.

Yes Murphy is a very good defender. I would be dubious to think Chicago would cough him up, even if they get to dump Johnson and acquire two young players. I would like our team to gun for Manson in free agency because he would really solidify our top 4 and would be great with Dahlin or Power

That's logical too. Wanted to clear the center jam

Either Strome and or Kubalik is going to get traded likely. Dach hasn't earned much of raise and will get bridged, experts have him around $3M to $3.5M at most. We have young goalies in the system as well as players in Rockford that will come up including Reichel as an example and replacements for De Haan. Hawks aren't in a bad position cap wise.

As for Murphy, if you've been watching the Hawks you'd realize Murphy is not a problem and is a big asset for the Hawks. McCabe has been very streaky and was flat out poor to start the season. Hawks aren't moving Murphy to dump Johnson to only get back Mittlestadt back which is not a position of need. I'll bet the house on Reichel and Dach over Mittlestadt any day thus making Mittlestadt not more then a 3C ever for the Hawks.

Something has to give I believe. Can't keep the current roster and call-up the young guys who will crack the team. Nice problem to have for a change though, too much young talent instead of barely any