Hawks Make Two Big Moves, More to Follow?

In the waning weeks of Summer the Hawks continued work on a busy offseason making two major deals. The first sent prize defence prospect Mike Matheson packing in exchange for electric young blueliner Shayne Gostisbehere. "Shayne has the potential to produce at an elite level, we were very high on Matheson however when the opportunity arises to acquire a young defenceman with the ability to produce 50+ points you have to take it." Said GM Semonick. While Matheson had considerable upside the Hawks elected to pull the trigger on a deal for a proven point producer at the NHL level, who is also the same age. 

In a second deal the Hawks sent contract hold out Sean Couturier packing to Los Angeles in exchange for young forwards Joel Eriksson-Ek and Jakub Vrana. "It become clear that we were not on the same page with Sean's representatives, which is unfortunate because we did like him as a player. That being said when an agent asks an unrealistic number and sticks to it, I will drive that player to the airport myself" noted Semonick, channeling his inner Brian Burke. Contract stalemate aside it would be a tough deal for the Hawks to pass up, adding two quality young pieces for a player probably tabbed to be their 4th line center this season. With ample in house options including top prospects Brayden Point and Willie Nylander this was not likely a difficult deal for the Hawks to make. As it stands heading into free agency the Hawks roster projects as follows:

Marchand-Johansen-Carter

Kreider-Couture-Stone

Henrique-Turris-Steen

Schwartz-Hayes-Nylander

Hedman-Keith

Suter-Cole

Forbort-Gostisbehere

Jones

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