I like it when someone else thinks the same...I was doing the same for our schedule...The Jets(If they play well) have a great chance to be in a WC spot come the 24th...

I don't want to "like" this, but I agree. cheers

I can't see Carolina moving a 1st and 2 2nds for rentals but getting lehner would be a win.

You're probably right, but I do think CAR is in the PERFECT position to make a move like this. They have Four...ish (working off the top of my head) 1st round prospects trying to get an NHL roster spot next year. Their stars are locked up LONG term. 1 draft class won't break their farm system AT ALL...so solve your biggest problems. BUT yeah, I hear ya. It's a lot to give up.

***EDIT*** I revised it, make any difference in your opinion?

The Canes are in about the same position as the Hawks...unlikley to the playoffs. I can't see them giving up all of that. The Leafs depending on how long Anderssen their season might be finished anyway. You've heard my rants about Ceci. Leafs can't really trade a Dman without getting one in return.

CAR is in a very unique position. I have been watching a number of their games this year. I like CAR (and AZ) right behind my team the Hawks. Their defense is really good. Their offense is really good. They have the worst goalie tandem in the entire NHL and I would 100% take Howard Bernier over Mrazek Reimer. Getting a Goalie in my opinion changes the entire dynamic of this team. They have a great farm system. The checkers are good. Their stars are LOCKED up for a long time. They have the pieces to keep the organization running smoothly while also going for it.

***EDIT*** As a side note...CAR has been in goalie purgatory for what...a decade now? Just pay up to get him and put ALL of that to rest, no?

TOR is also in a unique position. Anderson will come back at some point this year. I hear you on Ceci. I don't think he's been as bad as people say on here at all. He does have a large cap hit. I'm not sure I have a good solution for that problem because I don't think a Gilbert of Koekkoek would solve what were talking about. Maybe Hainsey back? IDK, but having a backup with clearly some solid playoff experience will help Anderson in SOO many ways. Just nights off too.

Big game tonight for Hutchinson and the Leafs. Hutch has won his last three starts, can he be the guy. It's funny Leaf fans always need whipping boys. Last Hainsey was the perfect partner for the reckless Reilly. My early seasons posts about the Leafs being weaker defensively has been true. Hainsey, Zaitsev and Gardiner......are better than the three replacements, Barrie, Ceci and Holl. Plus the injuries to Dermot, Muzzin and Reilly have really stetted a razor thin depth defence
Actually when considering the forwards had injuries to Hyman, Johnson, Mikheyvov, Tavares and Marner: and the Leafs started the season with the worse coach in the NHL, the Leafs have been done remarkably well this season.
Carolina. Wonder if Jimmy Howard might be the guy for Carolina...maybe even the Leafs.

I made the DET reference more so because Bernier even against PHI the other night was pretty decent. Made good saves. Has a pretty terrible team in front of him. Howard, while I could easily see DET retaining AND accepting a MUCH smaller trade price...He's still got the worst GSAA in the entire NHL. I'd more so suggest TOR doing this than CAR. CAR needs a starter. That's not Howard. If Hutch plays well...ok...if not then it's not a huge price to pay for Howard...heck I'm sure Mike Green retained could be in the mix too.

Good analysis.

As @palhal mentioned, Carolina is on the outside looking in for the playoffs as well. I can see them making the move for Lehner only if an extension is in place.

We can do better for Crow then a cap dump and Bracco who's a borderline AHL/NHL player. I don't know much about the other guys.

In my opinion, you can not sell both net-minders. It sends the wrong message to the team, who have done many things right and find themselves battling to make the playoffs. It sends the wrong message to the fan base. “We are five points out, but we are going to pack it in, cause we can get players and pics at the TDL that may better the club tomorrow.” Two years out of the postseason extends to three, and this organization has suddenly reversed its culture to win, especially after the last decade (which no doubt has been the teams most competitive and successful in its history)

To move Lehner, (I really don’t see problem signing him) it will need to be a draft pic, and or prospects which can impact the franchise now, as it would if Lehner signs. I can’t see Bowman moving Lehner at TDL unless the return nets the Hawks, say the 10th or better overall pick. To make this deal, there will need to be more enticements ( picks and or prospects)

Yes, it will cost a team a lot to get Lehner, so I agree there will be a contract extension in place.

I'm not saying your wrong. Nor am I saying I'd hate for Bowman to go for it. I do think this team is better than they are playing. BUT, I do ultimately have a different opinion. Right now is their competition..
Just for the wild card. Sure BOS is a potential cup contender, but that's it. All the other teams right now are wild card bubble teams. If you can't make it into a playoff position in the next 9 days...the players did NOT do enough. It's on Kane's disappearance the last two games...when they needed him. It's on toew's disappearance when they needed him. I LOVE those guys as Hawks and I'm not saying trade them. I'm saying this team CAN'T cut it...because they've proven them can't cut it against wild card competition. Not even cup contender competition.

To simply tank is the wrong direction. They are a bubble club, but with goaltending they have had all season, their is potential to have post season success. I have said all season, fix the power play, and this team would be in the playoffs.

This team is what I call “an artificial rebuild”, a kind of work on the fly. The Hawks goaltending this season at time made a bad club respectable. If the goaltending wasn’t there, then the club would have been forced into accepting a “full blow rebuild”.

Considering how the team has played over the last month, to how poorly they played in November, trading UFA’s simply because you receive players and picks back doesn’t strengthen your team. To me that is the definition of a general manager: To make the team better. The fate of this club is in their own hands. However, if Chicago is still looking on the outside of a play off spot after the trading deadline, there all some things to consider: #1 In March, they have 4 road games. Yes, they haven’t played great at home, but I would try and win at win in March than on the road. #2 their last 4 game are against teams outside their division.

I have never once said this team is a cup contender, but in my opinion, this team isn’t that far from being competitive. At least, what I currently see. Three scoring lines, and much better defensively (compared to last years train wreck) Boston, was a good test to how evaluate this team. The Bruin’s speed (forecheck) created all kinds of problem for the Hawks in their zone. Passes were not sharp, puck support and management was not there. Colliton said the 3rd period was the Hawk’s best. I thought it was the 2nd. But in a tight game like that, the difference can be the power play. There have been too many 1 goal games where the difference could be Chicago scoring on the power play. You are going to win too many hockey’s when your power play ranks 28th. Imagine how many game could have been won if the team was middle of the road. Dallas is currently 15th, with 19.5%. Chicago is 15.2%.

Again, I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm saying that what you're talking about is more so trying to go back in time to figure it out vs what are we going to do going forward. The Hawks are in Last place in the central today. For real, the players are letting it slip away. WPG, MIN, CGY...all their schedules are FAR easier in the next 2 weeks. I just dont see how a GM can look at his team and think they're real contenders when they keep losing ground and losing time. Get some MAJOR draft capital for the guys are likely about to lose for nothing. AT LEAST Gus and 1 of those goalies.