Comments on: IF Leafs Deal, Hawks Could Be Included…Update Phaneuf a Leaf

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:08:48 +0000

Vito, Bowman is under no pressure to trade anyone at this point. He even has cap room to add a depth player.

Of course, with the recent trades by Calgary, Toronto and it appears, the Rangers, who knows what happens between now and March 3.

But with Bolland and Burish back, Chicago would have a very strong roster. If they pick up a tough reserve d-man (like Exelby) they will be well postioned for the stretch run and the playoffs.

By: shruew

shruew — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:36:08 +0000

“Exelby would give the Hawsk a different type of player”
Yep, the unskilled type the Hawks clearly need…

By: vito

vito — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:35:43 +0000

i forgot to mention sopel if hawks are still looking to trade him they need him at least til the end of the season he’s a big help on blocking shots i noticed he is an influence on his teammates he is slow but he’s been pretty good he must be one of the better shot blockers in the league

By: vito

vito — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:25:12 +0000

thanks al and dave, its sounds good to me i would add 1 more of that type and put burish and bolland’s solid two way play in our lineup and we look more balanced i think as much as barker struggles he might turn it around and play to expectation if he knows he wont be traded or am i dreaming?

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:07:58 +0000

Al>agreed…Exelby is also the kind of conservative, physical d-man Quenneville likes.

I would say Exelby would be have been useful in the games this year against teams like Vancouver and Ottawa, adding those hits that keep the opposition honest. Sometimes the Hawks play too much of a finesse game, and an Exelby-type keeps it simple. They have been missing that since Matt Walker left.

Exelby also resembles your previously mentioned favorite, Matt Carkner, in that respect.

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:14:39 +0000

Exelby would give the Hawsk a different type of player…one they could use in tough Central Division battles…he is much more physical than Barker, Hendry or Sopel.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:06:43 +0000

Vito> Exelby is a youngish veteran (28 yrs old, 5 yrs with Atlanta, 1 with Toronto), physical d-man (6’1″, 215) who fits well into a 6/7 or reserve role. Nothing spectacular, but steady and responsible. $1.7 salary, contract expires this summer. He would be a logical acquisition to add toughness to the Hawks on the blueline.

By: vito

vito — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:36:18 +0000

does exelby have playoff experience? is he big and play physical? i dont know much about him

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:30:13 +0000

Exactly what I was thinking…just an addition without losing anyone off the roster.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:42:54 +0000

Al, per ESPN Giguere is indeed going to Toronto…Exelby makes sense as a depth d-man; and also as Bowman can acquire him without having to shed any salary.

In this case, Exelby can probably be had for a draft pick or a prospect.

Interesting times ahead.