The Hawks have the dmen that have the potential to shut it down. Murphy McCabe and Stillman, but it seems in JC's system...they don't have any forwards willing to play defensively.

I agree, that's why I didn't make very many changes.

The team needs to move to zone play not this man and half stuff. Murphy, McCabe and Stillman are all better as zone defenders

Would the Hawks trade Strome + Rigula for Kulak + Lehkonen? I think value is pretty even and cap is also pretty close. Just not sure of the needs.

I think they'll trade Strome and Regula, Yes. I don't think it would be for Kulak and Lehk though. They don't really need those guys. The need a system change and prospects.

I just read above that Chicago needs defensive forwards and Lehky is excellent in that regard. Also Kulak would push Gustafsson out of the lineup, I also wouldn't mine adding the Ducks 3rd to the deal which will basically be a second lol.

I didn't think Lehk was that good defensively. I'd probably consider it then.

Lehky is great defensively, on paper Lehkonen-Evans-Armia should be one of the best shutdown lines in the league. Here is a link to his stats line. Key stats here are Takeaways, Hits and Blocked shots. Those are great numbers considering he averages only 12-15 minutes a night.

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/lehkoar01.html