But, on the other hand, there could end up being more to this deal for either or both teams.

Jordan Oesterle goes to Arizona, and the Hawks pick up three guys who are either prospects (Mackenzie Entwistle), or AHLers/fringe NHLers (Andrew Campbell and Jordan Maletta). Meh.

To my eye, the “x factors” in this deal are center Marcus Kruger and RW Vince Hinostroza.

If Kruger can regain some or (who knows?) all of the form he had in 2015, then this could go down as a pretty shrewd deal for Hawk GM Stan Bowman. Conversely, Hinostroza may get the opportunity to be a regular top 6 forward in Arizona that he probably wasn’t going to get in Chicago. Will he produce—and more importantly—will he help elevate the rebuilding Coyotes in that role? Or will the Coyotes slot Hinostroza—and develop him—as I and others always felt the Hawks should have, as Kris Draper/Darren Helm 2.0: a fast, energetic, tough as nails guy to play against, with some occasional offense, who can be an absolute gem in a lower line role?

Kruger has battled injury for much of the last three years—a couple of wrist injuries and a sports hernia last year. Still, in 48 games with the Hurricanes last year, he was 55% in the faceoff dot.

Kruger never lit up the scoresheet in Chicago, and he became a whipping boy for Hawks’ fans when he signed a 3 year, $10 million deal after the last Cup. But the reality is, a healthy Marcus Kruger was the kind of guy who helps NHL teams win games, and series and Cups (not unlike the aforementioned Draper and Helm). Because he filled some important lower line/utility roles that not any bum can fill. Killing penalties, shadowing opponents’ top centers, driving a really effective shutdown/energy line.

The question is, is he still that kind of player. As of this writing, I don’t know what the Hawks’ scouting is on his health, and in truth, they may not even have any assurances. In that regard, Kruger could be nothing more than salary and a contract slot coming the other way to soften the cap hit for Arizona, at the same time a lottery ticket for Bowman.

Because if Kruger is relatively healthy this year, can still wein faceoffs and play his style of game, which is a lot bigger than his 6’1”, 190 pounds, then Stan Bowman very adroitly filled an underappreciated need on his team going into next season.

Which leads this narrative to another “overpaid” whipping boy: Jonathan Toews.

As far as Toews’ dropoff since 2015, there have been numerous theories. “Doesn’t care.” “Vegan.” “Takes too many supplements.” “Back injury” (which at least was legitimate season before last).

But one theory that I’ve heard from a team source, and has been echoed by Eddie Olczyk and others, is that when Toews is forced to do too much work, specifically taking faceoffs in too many situations, it detracts from his overall game, especially his offense.

Here’s the thing—winning faceoffs in the NHL is hard, physical work. And the two “centers” who follow Toews on the depth chart (Nick Schmaltz and Artem Anisimov) aren’t very good at it. So is killing penalties.

These were two things Kruger did a lot of from 2013-2015, so Toews didn’t have to—or not as much.

So if (and again, at this point, it’s a big “if”), Kruger is physically good enough this year to resume that role, in some form, there could be a subtle, yet important ripple effect for the entire Hawk team.

Or just some cap hit to absorb as a part of the cost of losing Marian Hossa’s cap hit. There was some speculation yesterday that the move was a cap clearing precursor to another deal—which I heard later in the afternoon had added urgency to some discussions I first reported a couple of weeks ago between the Hawks and Canadiens around Max Pacioretty.

Having reported on rumors for 9 years now, I can tell you that many, many more conversations happen than actual deals—and those big, seismic moves are exceedingly rare. So yesterday’s deal may end up being what it is. For better, worse or just moving some money around.

All I have for now. Follow @jaeckel and comment below.

The post What the Hossa trade really means appeared first on The Rink.

Chicago sent the remaining three years of Marian Hossa‘s contract, forward Vinnie Hinostroza, and defenseman Jordan Oesterle and a 2019 3rd round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Marcus Kruger, MacKenzie Entwistle, Jordan Maletta, defenseman Andrew Campbell and a fifth-round pick in 2019.

Hossa has been all but retired since it was announced that he was suffering for years from a painful skin condition.  The Blackhawks were able to use his $5.25 million cap hit against long term injured reserved last season.  The team only paid Hossa $1 million in actual dollars.

Vinnie Hinostroza was drafted the Blackhawks in the 6th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and signed with the team after finishing his 2014-15 season for Notre Dame.  He finally came into his own last season amassing 25 points (7G, 18A) with the Blackhawks, after leading the Rockford Icehogs in scoring early on.

Jordan Oesterle was signed as a free agent last summer after playing in the Edmonton system.  In a bit of a breakout year, Oesterle put up 15 points (5G, 10A) in 55 games for the Blackhawks.  He became expendable with the flurry of young defensemen in the system signed to entry level deals this spring.

Coming back to the Blackhawks is a familiar face, in Marcus Kruger.  Kruger was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights last summer for future considerations and then flipped to the Carolina Hurricanes shortly after.  The Hurricanes traded Kruger to the Coyotes in may after a very disappointing season that led Kruger to play in the AHL towards the end of the season.

Also, coming to the Blackhawks are prospects MacKenzie Entwistle, Jordan Maletta, and Andrew Campbell.

Entwistle is an 18 year-old 6’3″ 175 lbs right wing drafted in 2017 by Arizona in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft. This last season he put up 38 points in 49 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL.

Jordan Meletta is a 23 year-old 6’3″ 216 lbs center that played all of his pro career with the Cleveland Monsters and Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. He will probaby be assigned to the Rockford Icehogs.

Andrew Campbell is a 30 year-old 6’4” 205 lbs AHL veteran defenseman that will likely take the spot of the departed Cody Franson, Adam Clendening and Viktor Svedberg.

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks Trade Hossa/Hinostroza/Oesterle to Arizona appeared first on The Rink.