Your questions answered: What will Blackhawks do at trade deadline?
With many of the Blackhawks enjoying some much-needed R&R in faraway places, we thought this would be a good time to open things up to the fans with a pair of Q&As.
We'll release them over two days, so sit back, relax and enjoy ...
Q: Buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?
@drhoffman21 on Twitter
A: It's possible they could be both.
The Hawks are 24-21-6 and just 3 points behind Vegas, Arizona, Calgary and Edmonton. Those teams are second through fifth in the Pacific and would all qualify — barely — for the postseason if it began today. That division is so tight and so full of good — yet not great — teams that if the Hawks were to climb into the first wild-card spot, who's to say they couldn't win a first-round series?
And then a second-round series?
Suddenly they're in the Western Conference finals, and who knows what happens from there?
But we're getting ahead of ourselves.
The odds of all that happening aren't exactly great, so GM Stan Bowman ought to be thinking about what he can get for Erik Gustafsson, Brandon Saad and perhaps Corey Crawford. Crawford has a modified no-trade clause, but if he's willing to go to a team like Colorado, it figures to work out well for all parties.
On the flip side, the Hawks could make a deal with a Cup-contending team that's looking to unload an overpriced veteran with an expiring contract. They'd likely get a prospect and/or draft picks in return.
As for trying to upgrade for a playoff run? I don't see it. The Hawks are still trying to rebuild on the fly and don't want to give up draft picks or pieces of their future.
This team has jelled nicely over the past few weeks. See if the guys that put them position have what it takes to put them over the hump.
Q: Thoughts about Alex Nylander?
@jenzy75 on Twitter
A: Nylander's been a disappointment thus far. He was given a long run on the top line with Jonathan Toews and has received plenty of power-play time, but the 21-year-old has just 6 goals and 11 assists in 47 games.
There's no doubting Nylander's skill set. He has been blessed with great hands and is a very good skater.
But he has a tough time coming up with loose pucks, his competitiveness seems to wane at times and he rarely converts — or even gets much wood on — pinpoint passes by teammates.
He also struggles at times knowing where to go without the puck.
Having said all of that, Nylander has played better the last few games. He seems more comfortable in a fourth-line role with Zack Smith and Matthew Highmore. Maybe it's because the pressure's off. Maybe it's because he isn't facing top-four defensemen and top-six forwards.
Whatever it is, the Hawks would probably be smart to leave him in that role for the rest of the season and see if his confidence grows as a result.
This summer, it's imperative Nylander works his tail off in the gym, on the ice and in the video room. If he does that, perhaps he can take another step and grow into the player the Hawks hoped they were getting when they acquired him for Henri Jokiharju last off-season.
Q: What do you think the Hawks will do about their goalie situation?
@OliviaHawksFan on Twitter
A: My gut says they're going to sign Robin Lehner to a five-year deal worth between $30 million and $39 million. They'll then let Colin Delia and Kevin Lankinen battle for the backup spot.
All bets are off, though, if Lehner decides to test free agency. If that happens and he finds a better offer elsewhere, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hawks sign Corey Crawford to a 1- or 2-year deal.
Q: Are there any other former players that you see moving into the broadcast booth?
Chris Frederick, Mt. Prospect
A: Kris Versteeg is expected to work for Sportsnet after the Slovakian season ends.
As for other possibilities, perhaps Tommy Wingels and/or Cody Franson. They are playing overseas right now, but both were fantastic interviews while with the Hawks. The 31-year-old Wingels is from Evanston, so maybe the Hawks see if he's interested in a studio job when he retires.