Buff, Eager and Sopel to ATL

[suomistewart]

Another good thing about this deal is that even though Eager has an expiring contract, trading his RFA rights frees up a little bit of tagging room.

 

[bookjones]

Latest tweet from Bob McKenzie:

# If I am reading Chi-Atl as yet unofficial "trade" correctly, it may not be consummated til Thur or Fri in L.A. Atl needs to move contract. 28 minutes ago via UberTwitter



http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/16892993811

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

I know it has already been said, but this is a very good deal for the 'Hawks (once it goes through). Buff is at or near his peak value right now (unless he decides to bring it game in and game out). Plus this deal sheds salary, provides draft picks, and gets a decent center in return.



Also, this is none too shabby of a deal for Atlanta as well. They do get Buff and Sopel who can basically be another coach for their young and decent D. Aliu will have a better chance with Atlanta than he would with the 'Hawks. Eager should get decent playing time as well.



While it would have been nice to retain Buff, he is not that key to this team going forward (blah blah these playoffs blah blah, but with his salary he really needs to bring more to this 'Hawks team), and it's core...and this deal does help in the task of retaining Niemi and Hammer.

 

[wetcoasthawk65]

This is a good trade, it helps out both teams. The #24 pick is NJ's from the Kovolchuck deal and it is the pick right before Vancouver's. The Hawks can screw them in the Draft as well as on the ice. :dance: :dance: :dance:

 

[Maiden]

I've been told my the only scouting service I believe, my 10 year old son, that he is elated at getting a player the caliber of Jeremy Morin in return. Shed salary, get 3 younger players in return (Morin + 2 picks this year) and this is a terrific trade for organ-i-zation. Buff is a luxury this team could not afford in the era of the salary cap.

Scooter off to a great start in my opinion.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Good trade, somethign tells me it was someone from upstairs pushing Dudley on this one.....seriously they gave up Morin???? Kid is a potential beast.

I never expected to see Eager in the indianead again, we all knew Sopel was going away, and Buff has been on the "list" since before last years trade deadline. I will admit as a fan I am sad to see Buff go, but like I said, his name has been mentioned as trade bait for a while.



I dont remember who has been talking up Versteeg, but whoever it was; I disagree, he needs to go away. Too many times the last season and a half I have been watching games yelling at the tv, "For christ's sake steeg, what were you thinking?!?!?!" Because he either felt he could skate through an entire team andd faile dto pass to an open man, or passed when he shoul have kept it.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

[quote name="Maiden"]I've been told my the only scouting service I believe, my 10 year old son, that he is elated at getting a player the caliber of Jeremy Morin in return. Shed salary, get 3 younger players in return (Morin + 2 picks this year) and this is a terrific trade for organ-i-zation. Buff is a luxury this team could not afford in the era of the salary cap.

Scooter off to a great start in my opinion.[/quote]



HOW DARE YOU



Oh yea... I agree!



EDIT: Then again, he was Tallon's assistant for how long? Of course he's going to pick up on at least some good tendencies!

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

[quote name="bubbleheadchief"]Good trade, somethign tells me it was someone from upstairs pushing Dudley on this one.....seriously they gave up Morin???? Kid is a potential beast.

I never expected to see Eager in the indianead again, we all knew Sopel was going away, and Buff has been on the "list" since before last years trade deadline. I will admit as a fan I am sad to see Buff go, but like I said, his name has been mentioned as trade bait for a while.



I dont remember who has been talking up Versteeg, but whoever it was; I disagree, he needs to go away. Too many times the last season and a half I have been watching games yelling at the tv, "For christ's sake steeg, what were you thinking?!?!?!" Because he either felt he could skate through an entire team andd faile dto pass to an open man, or passed when he shoul have kept it.[/quote]



It was me, he needs to stay. It was his second season, he will learn to do those things IMO, and he's a good two way player when it comes down to it. Q had him out there at almost every last shift in the playoffs, especially in the Finals, with his hands and offensive ability I don't think more needs to be said about a guy who has been in the league 2 years and is still learning. I believe me and Maiden two of the few who want Versteeg to stay, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Maiden]

[quote name="bubbleheadchief"]Good trade, somethign tells me it was someone from upstairs pushing Dudley on this one.....seriously they gave up Morin???? Kid is a potential beast.

I never expected to see Eager in the indianead again, we all knew Sopel was going away, and Buff has been on the "list" since before last years trade deadline. I will admit as a fan I am sad to see Buff go, but like I said, his name has been mentioned as trade bait for a while.



I dont remember who has been talking up Versteeg, but whoever it was; I disagree, he needs to go away. Too many times the last season and a half I have been watching games yelling at the tv, "For christ's sake steeg, what were you thinking?!?!?!" Because he either felt he could skate through an entire team andd faile dto pass to an open man, or passed when he shoul have kept it.[/quote]



I talk up Versteeg and as far as I'm concerned he can play center for me next year and Sharpie can go back to wing with the kids. You can't teach that set of hands he has.

 

[Guest]

Agreed but if they come down to a choice, Versteeg Vs Sharp, Sharp has to be kept. You don't have to teach him to play Center and he's proven he can play with Kane if and when they switch up PK and JT.



Sharp at 3.9 is far more valuable than Versteeg at 3.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

And with that said, the guy pisses me off to, but not every player is Jonathan Toews or Kane. I mean in his first two years he has 44 goals, 101 points, +22. Grant it that he was on two very good teams, but he was a big part of both. And he doesn't disappear when things get scrappy, he's a tough guy, and he also doesn't disappear come playoff time. He is perfectly capable of 60-70 point seasons down the road, and I hope they are with the Hawks. I think Bowman feels the same way, at least I hope.

 

[Maiden]

[quote name="R K"]Agreed but if they come down to a choice, Versteeg Vs Sharp, Sharp has to be kept. You don't have to teach him to play Center and he's proven he can play with Kane if and when they switch up PK and JT.



Sharp at 3.9 is far more valuable than Versteeg at 3.[/quote]



That we can agree on.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

[quote name="R K"]Agreed but if they come down to a choice, Versteeg Vs Sharp, Sharp has to be kept. You don't have to teach him to play Center and he's proven he can play with Kane if and when they switch up PK and JT.



Sharp at 3.9 is far more valuable than Versteeg at 3.[/quote]

But with the cap up 2.4 million and us shedding basically 4.8 million today is there still a need for him to go? If it were between Ladd and Steeg I'd take Steeg.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

Can we just start a fundraiser to pay Huet off and retire, thats pretty much what it comes down to.

 

[5Minutes4Fighting]

Apparently Bowman was demanding a first round pick in the Buff trade, but gm's weren't biting (sans Dudley). LeBrun mentioned in his blog that three gm's told him that they didn't think Hawks would get a number one pick for Buff. Dudley gave us a number one plus Morin. Nice.

Link: http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog/_/name/lebrun_pierre/id/5321272/trade-pays-hawks-thrashers



-5Minutes

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

[quote name="PatrickSharpRules"]

But with the cap up 2.4 million and us shedding basically 4.8 million today is there still a need for him to go? If it were between Ladd and Steeg I'd take Steeg.[/quote]





I'd take Ladd. Nothing against Steeg, but Ladd is more complete at this time...though Steeg did impress this season.

 

[DBQHawkFan]

Very sad to see Buff go. We just got softer in my opinion, but I guess we had to do it. Another thing I have questions about is getting draft picks. We just had to let Sweatt go because we don't have cap space to sign him. If we continue to get good picks, wll we be able to resign them after their initial contract or just have to let them walk away like Sweatt. We get nothing back for him.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="PatrickSharpRules"]

But with the cap up 2.4 million and us shedding basically 4.8 million today is there still a need for him to go? If it were between Ladd and Steeg I'd take Steeg.[/quote]



Yes. You will need to shed at least 12 mil to ice a full team, allow for Niemi and Hjarlmarsson to get raises, and have some wiggle room for emergencies through out the season and add the contracts of Beach, Lalonde and any replacements for leaving players.



Huet 5.6 MIL

Buff 3.0 MIL

Sopel 2.3 MIL



Eager off the board so no relief as he was not under contract.



Reasoner 1.4 MIL?



So just those three, and the addition of Reasoner if he plays here leaves you with about 8 mil.



Steeg would put that at 11.

 

[DBQHawkFan]

[quote name="R K"]



Yes. You will need to shed at least 12 mil to ice a full team, allow for Niemi and Hjarlmarsson to get raises, and have some wiggle room for emergencies through out the season and add the contracts of Beach, Lalonde and any replacements for leaving players.



Huet 5.6 MIL

Buff 3.0 MIL

Sopel 2.3 MIL



Eager off the board so no relief as he was not under contract.



Reasoner 1.4 MIL?



So just those three, and the addition of Reasoner if he plays here leaves you with about 8 mil.



Steeg would put that at 11.[/quote]



Where is Huet going? Rockford? Doubt anyone will take him.

 

[Guest]

[quote name="DBQHawkFan"]Very sad to see Buff go. We just got softer in my opinion, but I guess we had to do it. Another thing I have questions about is getting draft picks. We just had to let Sweatt go because we don't have cap space to sign him. If we continue to get good picks, wll we be able to resign them after their initial contract or just have to let them walk away like Sweatt. We get nothing back for him.[/quote]



He wanted a huge contract. He didn't want to be behind all the players already here depth wise and it appears he'd rather jump right into the NHL verses the AHL.



I don't think it had to do with our Cap woes so much as his agent demanding serious money's. He's using that as an excuse. We hold his rights until August. Long after we'd have Cap relief for such a small contract.



That mentioned I find his comments on the Hawks in the following article disheartening and glad the little **** is going elsewhere.



He was rooting for the Flyers too. Asswipe.



http://nortonsports.com/former-elburn-resident-sweatt-ready-to-start-career-outside-of-chicago/