I like your reference in the details section of the Colorado trade concerning Anisimov. Spot on! According to none other than Connor McDavid, Alex DeBrincat is the real deal. How that might translate in becoming a regular on Joel Quenneville's Chicago Blackhawks as a teenager is another story. If he indeed is considered ready for the NHL next season, Panarin would be the most logical one to be moved. "Big" skates to fill for sure but ADB seems to be more than capable. I would even consider slotting him at 2LW across from Kaner. Perhaps highly unlikely Jumbo Joe moves to the Windy City for a year but ala Brad Richards at a reduced rate, maybe it is worth pursuing! That would be a heck of a line. The defensemen might be their Achilles heel, tho. Not sure who might be available within Chicago's tight cap situation but they could use a big, crease clearing guy who also fits within the team structure. As far as Crawford goes, he was the netminder who let a 2-0 3rd period lead disappear in a must win OT loss last game. While he was very good and can't be blamed for that defeat, at $6M/ is he the money goaltender other teams will covet? And from the Hawks perspective, is the Darling actually ready to be the number 1? Another off season filled with drama and tough decisions is in store!

I like this. This gives the Hawks 5+ million to sign a top 4-5 UFA defenseman and a GOOD top 9 forward. I'd probably resign Moose and Jurco and have Moose as #4C.

Everyone questions Darling's readiness to be a number 1 which is a very valid question. But take a look at Darling's numbers since he got off the bottle. He has gotten better and better each year even while moving up leagues. If there is any backup in the league that is ready to take a shot at being a #1 its him. I'd personally love to see him in Chicago but that takes trading Crow.

Grader, understood about Crow being in net for Chicago, but I was referencing Elliot for Calgary and as you state, Crow played great in that loss. Off the glass and coincidentally falls between him and the net? Not his fault at all.

Here's my take on the expansion draft. If I was Vegas, I would take TVR over Kruger, just to screw the Hawks, salary cap-wise. Which.. is why I believe the Hawks will deal TVR, to pretty much force Vegas to take Kruger. But.. if they want to keep Jurco's RFA status, they need to tender him, which would make him available for the draft..which Vegas could take him then; it's complicated lol...

How about this one - Panarin for Saad? Each makes 6 million. Columbus could use a skill player, and the Hawks need some more hard-nose players (hugely evident in this series).. Panik would likely get a tad more than that, given his 20+ goals, but not too much more. I think Seabrook would be the best option to deal (but there wont be many takers / wouldn't get as much back). He's getting slower, as the leagues getting faster.

If all else fails, I hate to say it, but trade Toews. It's seeming impossible to have great depth with two players making almost 30% of the salary cap. Their 8.4 combined in raises took away 2 depth players. Toews for Duchene? Toews could teach Jost how to be the leader he'll be in a few years.

Well a few things. Vegas probably wants to create the best team that they can. They can find a bottom pair Dman on just about any team which is what TVR is. I'm not saying he's bad, but he is a bottom pair Dman. LVK needs to find an entire team. Players that play special teams like the PK are included. I'm clearly not McPhee, but it just seems like a no brainer to me because he can get 30 TVRs.

Panarin for Saad simply isn't going to happen for exactly the 2nd sentence. They make the same money. Sure Saad would help the Toews line, but it hurts the Kane line. One for the other. Both teams would just keep the players they have.

I'm not even going to address the last one.

Not enough for Panarin in my opinion.

The tying score had some interference but Crow was out of his crease so good goal. I did get what you were originally saying tho. Gonna be interesting how it all pans out...

Every team knows Chicago HAS to make trades, especially when it comes to their big cap hits. Panarin has been great -- in the NHL, KHL, Worlds. Yes, he's played with some top notch players which can only enhance his production and value. Duchene seems to be more versatile than Breadman but maybe that is what Chicago needs more of. Same cap hits, different types of players yet both have tremendous upside. Chicago would benefit but really may need DeBrincat to fill Panarin's role, IMO for it to truly work and be sold to their base.

I would love to get more, but I'm not sure it's realistic. Ask Coga how he feels about the trade. $1.5M in Cap Savings shouldn't be underestimated either. Help offset those bonuses Panarin received.

Its all what Chicago values more. The cap savings and the positional depth that Duchene would bring. Ive they value that retained salary and face-off ability of duchene then its probably a good hockey trade for both teams since Avs have the cap space to absorb all that next season.

rangersandislesfan only sees black and white....this player has this many points at this time so he is either bad or good. Doesn't put any value in anything else. Clearly Kane can play with anyone and make them a superstar if they have an ounce of talent. Toews is struggling hard and he was apparently vocal about Hawks to go after Dutchy at the deadline since they are friends from Team Canada. If that helps toews get going as well then there is added value in all of that

Panarin, Crawford, Anisimov
for
Duchene, Thornton, Alzner

You mentioned signing Thornton and Alzner, two guys I would love to see in Chicago. Imagine being able to sign both, assuming another guy would have to go to make room, probably Anisimov. But swapping these three players in my mind creates a much deeper back end with Alzner and adding more grit to the forwards while retaining a whole bunch of offensive skill. And of course, we're hoping Darling can be a solid goaltender.

All I'm saying is this would be a solid team.

Duchene-Toews-Panik
Debrincat-Thornton-Kane
Hartman-Schmaltz-Hossa
Hayden-Kero-Motte
Rasmussen/Jurco/Tootoo

Keith-Hjalmarsson
Alzner-Seabrook
Forsling-TVR

Darling
backup