Meh. Sure I guess. Don't think it really moves the needle a ton

If we stay healthy, that top 9 and top 4D matches up with any team in the league

Would love something like this.

Oh yeah, sure. I'm talking from the Hawks perspective on the trade. Purely on speculation I think Debrincat would be more willing to sign a shorter term deal and gamble on himself again to see if he can produce better next to Norris for a full season. Certainly not the statistical season he was hoping to have in a contract year. He'll probably just accept his QO.

If that's the case, sens are better to trade him. Not saying he doesn't deserve more money, but we don't really need another winger making 8+ mil. Put an average 2nd line LW (let's say bunting for example) making 3-4 mil, on the 2nd line and the top 6 of Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux, Bunting - Norris - Batherson, is just fine. Then that extra 4-5 mil can go somewhere else to improve depth/goaltending. This would actually be ideal the more you think about it.

Why do the Hawks do this?

why not

Hawks decline. They have plenty of bottom 6 forward options already.

Because the Hawks don't need more bottom 6 players and a RHD prospect is worth more than a player going on 27 years old bottom 6 winger carrying a $3M cap hit who potted 3 goals in 56 games this past season