Proposal: Ville Pokka for your young Top9 forward

[TLEH]

Ville Pokka is ready to be in the NHL now, he has nothing left to learn in the AHL, but his ceiling is probably a 3 at this point with him most likely being a 4-5. Hawks have a lot of younger defensive pieces like forsling that are exempt from the expansion draft and Pokka is not. I've seen Kapanen thrown around. Shoot away.

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[TheGroceryStick]

Any interest in Leipsic? He also seems ready for an NHL stint; the Leafs just seem too loaded up front with guys a little further along and more Babcock type.

 

[StevenDean]

Pokka is still waivers exempt so you definitely should either keep him in the AHL and call him up for emergencies or hold out for really decent value.

 

[Warden of the North]

Kapanen is fine from this Leafs fan

 

[Esq]

Kapanen is fine from this Leafs fan

This has been explored before, and would likely be of interest to both teams.

 

[Brock Radunske]

If he's a RHD and could slot somewhere between 3-5, let's talk.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Kapanen is fine from this Leafs fan

Fan of both teams. This would be too much.

Leipsic would be a strong consideration, think Q would love him and he'd be kind of a Shaw replacement, a touch smaller but probably a bit more talented. Although Chicago does have Hartman who is ready to join the NHL too.

 

[LeafsNation149]

If you want a top 9 forward now, then Leipsic is your guy.

If you can wait a couple years then Kapanen might be a better choice.

 

[Srsly]

What about Leivo? Approximately a year older than Pokka, He's also a fairly strong winger who has shown he can produce in his small NHL sample last year. He's not the shiniest piece but he could really excel with the right line mates. At 23 he's waiver eligible despite being NHL ready and plays at a crowded position which makes him one of our more expendable assets. We might have to add a small sweetener from the Leafs, but I'm not sure what.

 

[WTFMAN99]

What about Leivo? Approximately a year older than Pokka, He's also a fairly strong winger who has shown he can produce in his small NHL sample last year. He's not the shiniest piece but he could really excel with the right line mates. At 23 he's waiver eligible despite being NHL ready and plays at a crowded position which makes him one of our more expendable assets. We might have to add a small sweetener from the Leafs, but I'm not sure what.

There is a part of me that can see Leivo on Toew's LW and doing really well, especially if he has a huge summer.

 

[RememberTheName]

How about Jacob Josefson from Jersey

 

[Finnish your Czech]

Leipsic has 6 games of NHL experience. He's a potential top 9 forward, but not one yet. A Leipsic for Pokka deal favors Toronto.

 

[StevenDean]

Leipsic has 6 games of NHL experience. He's a potential top 9 forward, but not one yet. A Leipsic for Pokka deal favors Toronto.

Why? Pokka has zero NHL experience. Future for future.

 

[LTIR]

Yakupov @ 50% retention
Or
Lander straight up..

 

[oilers84]

To chi
Lander
Pitlick
4th

To edm
Poker
Bondra

 

[Xscout*]

Leafs perspective I'd do one of
Kapanen 1 for 1
Leivo + Holland
Holland + 4th
Leivo + 4th

But I'm also much more convinced that pokka will be legit than most are probably

 

[Oskar The Groucho]

Kapanen FOR Pokka make to much sense for both teams.

Leafs have a surplus of forward prospects and need a RHD

 

[McOvechking]

Kapanen FOR Pokka make to much sense for both teams.

Leafs have a surplus of forward prospects and need a RHD

Not sure Kapanen's stock has fallen that much. He's more valuable than Pokka right now.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Kapanen may be somewhat lost in our glut of forward prospects; so I wouldn't be overly upset if he was moved for some D help. I just have a 'surprise me' feeling with him; I am purposely allowing him to go unnoticed/not in the current lineup and hope he can force his way onto this team.

I do like a lot of his game; to me, he seems to think the game at a high end - has the skills to keep up with any of our prospects. It'll be intriguing to see what happens with forwards like him, Leipsic, Bracco, Timashov, Johnson etc. We have a bunch of Kapanens in our system.

 

[Hoverhand]

We won't need to protect Kapanen but we will be forced to protect Pokka if I'm not mistaken, I'd much rather do a "non exempt for non exempt deal"

 

[Hoverhand]

Not sure Kapanen's stock has fallen that much. He's more valuable than Pokka right now.

He had a pretty good year as a junior aged player in the AHL. His ceiling is a high end 2nd line player and it would not surprise me if he hits it.

 

[Jester9881]

Wish the Islanders had a spot for him..... really dumb if Chicago trades this kid before giving him a shot, selling way low right now.

 

[Seatoo]

I'd be willing to fork over Virtanen but I think CHI has to add a bit

 

[SAADfather]

Wish the Islanders had a spot for him..... really dumb if Chicago trades this kid before giving him a shot, selling way low right now.

It's not that we really want to get rid of Pokka. I still think he'll be a quality top 4 defender in the NHL. It's just I think the Hawks orginization is higher on forsling (who won't need to be protected) where as pokka will. Why lose pokka in the expansion draft when we can trade him for a bigger need? (young winger on an ELC)

 

[WTFMAN99]

Not sure Kapanen's stock has fallen that much. He's more valuable than Pokka right now.

It hasn't. Kapanen did well last year.

I'd be willing to fork over Virtanen but I think CHI has to add a bit

Pokka and McNeil for Virtanen?