A missed opportunity with Pronger
How good would Chris Pronger have looked on the Hawks’ defense next season?
Pronger was traded on Friday from Anaheim to Philadelphia with a prospect for defenseman Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul, two first-round draft picks and a conditional third-rounder.
Hawks GM Dale Tallon said he called the Ducks’ Bob Murray to see what it would take to get Pronger and the price was too much.
"We talked and the price was a little too stiff for us to pay," Tallon said. "It would have been some good prospects and some players off our roster. We weren't willing to overpay for him. We like him and he's a great player, but we want to make a commitment to our core players."
That’s fine, but then Tallon said, “Philadelphia obviously feels they’re close.”
Wait a second. Aren’t the Hawks close too? The rebuilding is over. This is a 104-point team that went to the West finals and the goal should be winning a Stanley Cup next season because nobody knows what the shelf life of this group will be.
Even if it might have cost two No. 1 picks and perhaps Niklas Hjalmarsson and another prospect, missing out on Pronger was not a good start to the off-season.
& Tallon is obviously clueless about what it takes to win a cup.
offering up first rounders at 25 to 30 is a lot different than offering up 1st rounders in the top 10 (especially with the hawks drafting) & presumably pronger would have put the hawks closer to the former than the latter.
barker & his poblematic contract is certainly expendable & the hawks have plenty of prospect depth to offer a guy like skille instead of a draft pick, without hurting the current roster.
that said, the key to a pronger deal was whether he can be signed to an extension at a reasonable price and with tallon overpaying bolland for 5 years, the already slim odds of that went down even more.
giving up barker & two 1st rounders for one year of pronger would have been too much.
But the finance side Dale has got himself into - made even worse on draft day - makes a move like that almost impossible without moving significant salary also. It nearly makes re-signing Havlat to even a 1 year deal difficult.
It also cuts into the chance of signing a UFA or 2 this year.
Then Dale goes out and re-signs Bolland for a cap hit of $3.6M a year?! That smacks of lack of depth at centre. He's a good player, he's not $3.6M a year good.
Even though he's signed for only the next season, did the 'Hawks want to give up what Philly did? The Mallards fleeced Philly on this deal. The 2 players going back are former #1's and they also handed a #1 future pick and a conditional? Yikes!
The 'Hawks have to buyout Sopel, maybe move Buff and possibly re-work Campbells' contract to lower the cap hit.
If getting Pronger meant minimum return players/picks, then fine I'd be OK with the 1-yr "rental", knowing he's a UFA after 09-10. But Boo-Murray pretty much told Dale the price and Dale winced; good. Because I wouldn't want to pay that price + his salary either.
Anyone else pissed off about Tallon's comments about philly thinking they are close?
That aggravates me the most. What does that tell me? That the Hawks think that they progressed too quickly last year, and won't take in consideration the playoff run. Instead they will stick to their long term plan.
Can't wait for McDonaugh to tell me how badly he wants to win the cup. Really? Then make moves this year that prove you're commited!!!!!!
Pronger is not what the Hawks need/want.
They could use a a big tough young D-man who does not take selfish penalties.
If Barker can get a mean streak, that problem is solved.
Pronger was that guy 10 years ago.
Not now.
Come on people, Phillie got fleeced, IMO, and nobody knows what Murray wanted from the 'hawks for Pronger. As many have said he's on the down slide of his career. Not worth it for one year. In the playoffs, the 'hawks were close this year and there's no telling how that experience will shape them over the next year or years. Bring on the youth … let them grow together.
As for Bolland, well, it's obvious they see him as a "core" player and worthy of second line status (with or without Marty) with those dollars. No doubt he'd receive some rfa offers and the 'hawks were wise to nip it before they were forced to match. Is it too much? Who knows, but it might just as easily be a steal of a deal in 2 or 3 years. Bolland's a good two-way, many situation, player.
Why is most everyone so ready to castigate Tallon? I believe that Stan Bowman is the number cruncher and I'm sure that Dale isn't just throwing out numbers drawn from a hat without the green light from Stan. Rest assured that Scotty has an opinion in these things too. So it's not always only on Dale. Let the man do his job. We made a splash (or crash in some eyes) at the free agent frenzy last year—likely on orders from McDonough. The team is right there already, just a tweak or two will help, but let's not throw the bird-in-hand out as well.
Tim, your blogs are always astute and thought provoking, as is this one...but while Pronger would have been nice to have for the Hawks' Cup run last season, Bob Murray's asking price was just too high this time around.
The Blackhawks have built a young, exciting team that plays FOR each other, and it's reasonable to expect their collective experience will help them continue to improve.
The Penguins proved that T-E-A-M first can win out...even after losing Hossa.
Are the Hawks that far apart from the Pens in terms of their ability? IMHO they are not.
Tallon and Co made the right move by following the old adage, "Sometimes the best deal is the one you don't make".
I don't like the chemistry. Pronger is a great player on the downside of his career. While he would have been a strong edition he also has the rep of having a few screws loose getting suspended for stupid hits. I would have rather had Bomiester from Florida
Pronger is a Flyer so why waste time speculating how good or bad he would have been because it is not happening. Hawks will not be as good next year without Havlat and the Bulin wall and Tallon will get canned this coming year. I feel bad for JT because I can see the wheels coming off this bus and it won't be his fault. Unless a top six forward is signed Havlat will be a huge loss. If Huet struggles the very critical Hawk fans will roast him so bad he will not recover and they will all be screaming for Khabby, Khabby. It will be so discouraging going backward after a sensational very exciting 2008-09. All I can say is good luck hawks and hopefully I am wrong. Can't wait to watch Khabby and Havlat do their magic elsewhere.
Would I rather have Khabibulin than Huet? Yes. But at this point in his career he really is not that much better than Huet. Look at the numbers for this past year, pretty similar. At this point Khabibulin is just as likely to miss half of next year due to injury, as he is to be another split second slower getting from side to side or flashing the glove. I realize that having a moniker of Kabibulin39 kind of obligates you to defend the man, but stop pretending he's Martin Brodeur. He just really is not that good anymore.
There must be a reason coach Q played Khabby over Huet don't you think. I happen to know one of the Hawks dmen quite well and he off the record told me that the Huet signing was ridiculous and they should have just stuck with Khabby. Keep in mind the Bulin Wall not that good the last couple of years but that is a reflection of the team defense. I mean look at Osgood's numbers in Detroit and you would think he is an elite goalie. The reason I like Khabby is because when Tampa won the cup he was the second MVP, runner up to Brad RIchards who won it because of an unbelievable performance, leading the team in scoring and several game winners. Huet was great in the Caps drive to the playoffs but he seems to have lost his confidence and is clearly not in the same category as big Nikolai.
"The reason I like Khabby is because when Tampa won the cup he was the second MVP"
When Tampa won the cup, Khabi was in the midst of his prime. He hasn't come close to that level since. Sure he didn't have a good team in front of him until this past season, but that doesn't change the fact that he's now several years older and slower than he was when he won the cup.
The Huet signing WAS ridiculous, but unless Tallon can pull a rabbit out of a hat and find a way to unload "The Man from France", we are stuck between a rock and a salary cap.
I don't think Huet is the long term answer, but neither is Khabibulin.
It's June and you have the Hawks going backward in '09-'10? I don't disagree with everything you've said, certainly the Huet situation is likely spot on...but the Hawks outdid every expectation this season, let's not write off next season just yet.
Disagree. Pronger wouldn't fit right. You can slap all the talent you want onto a team but they still have to gel as a team. He's the 'wrong piece'. Beauchemin is a closer fit.
I am glad we did not get Pronger for the one year left on his contract. Don't forget that his wife likes to dictate where he plays as she found Edmonton not to her liking. Trading picks and roster players for one guy for likley one year is too expensive. Maybe his wife would enjoy Chicago but I bet she likes California better. One year in Philly is likely all he stays.
Philly gave up Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul, two first-round draft picks and a conditional third-rounder and youre saying it would "only" cost Chicago two No. 1 picks and perhaps Niklas Hjalmarsson and another prospect? Try again Tim.
Assuming we send players of similar performance, Sbisa = Hjalmarsson and the draft picks are what they are. The part you missed is Lupul. He has 102 goals and 109 assists in his career and is only 26 years old. For equal value who does that sound like on the hawks? Patrick Sharp with 102 goals and 78 assists and is about 28 years old. No thanks on Pronger!
What is the goal for this upcoming year? IS it to win, or is it to HOPE to win but more importantly develop prospects? I'm starting to wonder, because as of now, this team is slowly heading backwards. That is the fine line, that I really don't think Tallon has a clue on how to achieve.
I will not pretend to know anything about the draft, so I'll leave that to the guys who pay attention. I just hope that somebody pans out who was drafted this year.
A couple of alarming things:
-Pronger: I don't get it. Regardless of if you think you can sign him or not, he is a shut down, physical defenseman. Why did Anaheim go 7 vs Detroit? Because this guy beats the crap out of people religiously and wears them down. Do we have a physical defenseman? Possibly with Seabrook, but Pronger is elite, Brett is not.....yet.
-Bolland: Sweet god. 18 million over 5 years? Really? Well, remember this deal when everyone here cries about the cap in a few years. It's deals like this, and Buff, that restrict this team. So what is a guy like Versteeg going to get, who actually produces? For this money, Bolland better become a 25+ goal scorer and top 6 forward. I also 100% agree with the comment about taking Havlat away, and lets see what this guy actually is.
-Havlat: I don't see how he is resigned. IF Bolland is getting 3.5 a year, no way Havlat can take anything less then 5-6 million, which the Hawks can't afford. Better find somebody to replace this guy, because I don't see it in-house. Tallon said "nothing concrete" when speaking about their talks. No kidding.
-Bulin: Why are they even talking to him? Unless he's coming DIRT cheap, it makes zero sense. Tallon boasts about his supposed goaltender depth, but signing Khabibulin does what for Crawford or Niemi? Nothing. Only way this should ever go down is if the Hawks deal Huet, and with that contract.....good luck.
Lastly, so what is Kane and Toews going to get? IT may be Crosby or Malkin money, but not because their stats/play dictate that, but because Dale and his moronic spending will lead to it.
Once again, Tallon is throwing money around and killing this team long term. I don't get it, and I have little faith he has a plan. The goal is to win, not sit in a run and pat yourself on your back about all can't miss prospects, etc.
"Do we have a physical defenseman? Possibly with Seabrook, but Pronger is elite, Brett is not.....yet."
Who is Brett Seabrook? Is that Brent's brother? If you are going to talk at length as though you could do a better job than the Tallon/Bowman brain-trust, the least you could do is know WHO you are talking about. Kind of kills your credibility when you don't even know the guy's name.
It was early, and I was pissed off. Still am.
You are right, shouldn't have made that typo.
Steve, because of last year's goal of making the playoffs, Tallon's goal of saving his job, and McDonough's goal of selling tickets, you got the Campbell and Huet contracts, prior to those the Byfuglien one, and the decisions on holding on to Khabibulin and Havlat. Yes, it was a great playoff run, a very enjoyable season, but it ended like every other one did since 1961, without a Cup.
So now that season's over, now what? Yes, Havlat and Khabibulin were a very important part of last year's playoff run, but the're both probably gone now. Huet's contract dictates Crawford or Niemi need to be the backup, but which one is ready for the NHL yet? Maybe you know if Huet was never signed and they just rode out Bulin's contract and gave Niemi and Crawford NHL playing time last season.
Was it so important to sign Campbell to that ridiculous contract last year? Weren't there plenty of other options out there on defense, lower priced d-men who in conjunction with Hjalmersson's eventual emergence would have been good enough, and preserved some of that precious cap room?
Still no second line center, and still missing a top 6 scorer that plays with an edge. What do they have in Skille? What do they have in all the other prospects everyone loves to speculate on? Why wouldn't last year be the year to see what you have in Skille, or Pelletier, or some of the other prospects?
Was it so important to make a strong playoff run last year? If so, why? What did it accomplish? Yes, hockey is back on the map in this town, but unless you have a stake in the team, why do you care about ticket sales, or media coverage? But what does that have to do with the Hawks actually winning a Cup?
This is all hindsight anyway, but maybe the best move was to relieve Tallon of his duties at the end of the previous year, and brought in someone who didn't have to worry about job security for a few years. Maybe that guy doesn't spend that $13M (or whatever it was) in cap space like he was Jim Hendry or John McDonough when they realized they're time was coming to a close when a new Cubs owner came in (how does the Soriano, Fukodome, and Bradley signings look now? That 's what the Campbell and Huet contracts will be for the Hawks). Yes, made the playoffs, went to the conference semis, but like Steve points out, what now for this coming season, or better yet next season with that RFA crop?
I take comfort in knowing they have a guy like Bowman around, someone who knows what it takes to win a championship (unlike Tallon or McDonough). But all the fans who thought the next few years will just build on last season, only steps forward, may be a little disappointed. Last year should have been a building year, not an attempt to make a giant leap forward, though. Too many unanswered questions that should have been answered it Tallon wasn't just thinking short term.
Maybe then a Pronger move would have made sense. Maybe if Campbell's not here, it's easier to make that move. But again it's all woulda, shoulda, coulda at this point. Just hope Tallon, if he is still making decisions, has to run them by Bowman before he makes a final decision. Not so easy anymore when you don't have top 3 draft picks.
The Hawks are setting up to be a competitive team and hopefully make the playoffs every year. They will have a few good chances to win the cup in the next few years, but will fail to make the necessary changes and player acquisition to get the job done. Rocky said it all, it is a business first. And they are happy after the end of this season.
To be honest, the Hawks should have alot more prospects in the minors with their draft position. Look at the Wings. They have some great players to fill voids - Helm, Leino, Abd.... and so on. And the Wings drafted later in the rounds. Who do the Hawks have?
And if you are going to grow the team via the draft, you better find a gem in the later rounds that produces and is cheap. Can the Hawks do that? Otherwise, you are going to have to wait many years for the player to develop. By then, the window is closed or the player is too expensive.
The Hawks need to revamp their scouting corp or minor league development coaches. The best pickup that i have seen has been Versteeg. Havlat was a good pickup, but injuries soured it. I am scared of what i am hearing about Aliu and Beach. I did watch a game between the Wolves and IceHogs and both Aliu and Beach looked talented and skated well but both didn't finish the game and Wolves slaughtered the hogs.
TopShelf post If you were in Holland, Detroit Gm, shoes, due to the many large and long term salaries you've committed to, would you consider releasing the older defensive tandem of Maltby and Draper? Replace them with Helm and Abdelkader? Helm and Abdelkader have as much or more skill, and both can skate as well (Helm has good speed). Both would benefit with the system Red Wings play. Of course Hossa is gone. The new kid on defence will be a good one. They like McCollum, a first round goaltender selection. So some new players from the farm system will appear for them next year and even farther down the road. It is a waste of time to compare farm system, since Detroit emphasizes player development more because they are so deep on the NHL level and then they also regularly draft late in each round. It is true there are some red flags with Beech and Aliu, and although both may work out, not expecting them to give us much next year (Beech may be given a big opportunity, but I say he needs to work on his skating). Makarov and their first two selections this year look good. Niemi is very skilled. Other prospects are just too far away on the developmental curve, or are not likely to be top line players. But watch Carlsson develop in Rockford, and I like to see how Sweat pans out on a third checking line. Smith from BC or BU ? may be alright. Skille may yet be ok but not a top line scorer/much negativism on him because he isn't going to be a great scorer does not mean he still can't be a productive, useful NHL player. I'd like to try Skille and Sweat together at Rockford/lots of speed, enough toughness and some skill for a checking line? And what about Greenop? Is he signing with Chicago? Can he make it as a checker/4th line and heavyweight?
Leino is about 28 and Helm is a good forth line player big deal I'm so sick of hereing how great they draft!!!Bill Sweatt is Helm,Aliu,Beach are much better than anything the RedWangs have coming.Zetterberg and Datsuk were picked in '99 and '98.It's early but It looks like Tallon has outdone Holland (in the entry draft)again ,about 9 years and counting !!! Detroit SUCKS
no team is going to run their payroll right to the limit and just be in it to "make the playoffs".
Dale's move with Bolland strikes of the lack of depth they have at centre in the organization. I like Bolland, but not at a cap hit of $3.6M a year especially with the big 3 needing to be resigned this time next year and Seabrook the year after that. The 'Hawks moved like a frightened rabbit to sign Bolland. They over paid for him just like they did for Sharp ($3.9M a year cap hit) and Buff ($3.0M a year cap hit).
It's going to be very interesting to see what happens in just over 2 days. With Bollands' signing I wouldn't be surprised to see both Barker and Versteeg hang until they get an offer sheet. Pahlsson should be interesting too. Look for Sopel to be bought out. That will save them $1.56M a year for the next 2 years but cost them $777k a year for the 2 years after that.
I can't see the 8 year deal for Havlat that's been mentioned on the web unless the 'Hawks plan to move significant other salaries.
Agree with what you said.
So there I am sitting watching the draft, as all these teams have these somewhat young guys going up to the podium, etc. Then you have the Hawks, who wheel out 2 dinosaurs with Tallon and Bowman.
Lets see how great Tallon is at evaluating talent when it's not a lottery pick.
I really need somebody to explain to me how signing Dave Bolland for 5 years and 18 million was a good thing. Having a real tough time looking past it, as I don't think Bolland is a top 6 forward.
Agree with what you said.
So there I am sitting watching the draft, as all these teams have these somewhat young guys going up to the podium, etc. Then you have the Hawks, who wheel out 2 dinosaurs with Tallon and Bowman.
Lets see how great Tallon is at evaluating talent when it's not a lottery pick.
I really need somebody to explain to me how signing Dave Bolland for 5 years and 18 million was a good thing. Having a real tough time looking past it, as I don't think Bolland is a top 6 forward.
Tallon is not doing a glen sather imitation...the moves hes making are calculated and smart. Getting Bolland locked up for 5 years at 3.5 is a vision signing and will look cheap in 2 years. We can sign our core and reap the benefits of a very good draft haul over the last 4 years. Bad moves would include trading for heatley or giving havlat a long term deal. You lock up your young players and look for cheap veterans through trade ....you must pay attention to the cap and Dale is doing that
Pronger is an over the hump guy. You could loose #6,5 and #4 off the defence and you would get by with new faces. You could loose anybody off line #3 and 4 and anybody from Rockford.
Hope Dale is not falling in love with his prospects, but lets go with the 1/2 full theroy and Dale has another plan
I'm with Dale and Scotty on this one.
I like Pronger and he is obviously a great defenseman but at his age and with one year left on his deal the price was not worth it. Let the Flyers mortgage the farm. There will be other guys that are solid players popping up available that will cost far less money, picks and players. And the last thing the Hawks need is another great player becoming a free agent after the 2010 season.
Maybe - if you consider the horse that Pronger is. Big, strong, seasoned. What about in the locker room or in Bensenville? I'm not suggesting any negatives about Mr. Pronger's character, but history has demonstrated that off-ice distractions find their way onto the ice and in the media. None of us know how the team chemistry would have been affected by an addition of Pronger and as some have pointed out how well he would or would not get along with other high-salary d-men...
Seems to me that the management has put all on notice that professionalism is the new buzzword. Even Dale has said they are looking for character in their players, not characters. Personally - I think the Hawks did the right thing by staying the course. Maybe there are more interesting FAs on the horizion, trades that make more sense for the type of vision the organization has under the current ownership...
but basically three number ones and rostered player and a conditional third if he re-signs is a bit much.
Maybe if we were sure the Hawk weaknesses were shore up in the OTHER areas of improvement, then knowing we really where that close, then I would say, sure, mortage everything and get the last piece, but the present team still needs the padding the picks bring you.
I have my doubts about Pronger fitting into the young Hawks. Not sure how he would co-exist with a 21 year-old captain.
Also, what's Philly's average age? I don't think they have a long window of being a consistent Cup contender, so it may make more sense for them to shoot the moon now.
Pronger seems to move on every 2 or three years.
Listening to other commentators and GMs in the league, the Hawks will have a top tier D for years with the people in the lineup now, and those in the pipeline.
Yes, we need a physical presence, but Pronger comes with a steep price, especially when the Hawks have done well with the draft and player development recently.
I am sorry Tim. I have to disagree with you this time. The price for Pronger who has one year left on his contract was too high. You not only trade your future in Hjalmarsson and the two 1st round picks you have to resign Pronger to make this a good move. To resign sign him beyond next year you would chew into your cap space next year. With the cap where it is a good, maybe not great defensemen will fall through the cracks and want to play with the Hawks.
The throw everything at one year philosophy is a high risk low reward situation. Bowman and Tallon one to compete for the Cup every year. Look around the league at teams that too big risks with trades or signings for one year. Did Hossa put Detroit over the top?
I would like them to get a top defensive defensemen that they could feel good about at the end of the game with Keith and Seabs. I think Hjalmarsson could be the 3rd. I am not particularly fond of Campbell and Barker. I do not like Walker as a top 4.
Give them a chance. Still plenty of time left.
700milesfromhome is your post name and may also be a reference to how far away the Blackhawks are from another playoff run like last year if they are unable to sign Havlat But do you think McDonough's voice was loud and clear at the organizational meetings held prior to the draft (and upcoming free agent period - of -time/frenzy(?).
Does McDonough spell success as another run, and the strategy is to wait and see if Havlat or Hossa can be signed for a short term deal? It makes sense that McDonough would see it that way. However, moving out Barker's salary and buying out Sopel doesn't save as many dollars as they should set aside? Moving Bufuglien is nonsensical, after seeing his playoff performance, you have to wait and see with this enigmatic player. Bufuglien and Kane both need a tough love approach by Quenneville next year. And Khabby is still being courted (is this just a ploy?/does appear Tallon is serious/why else would he be even talking to Khabby). This Khabby talk reeks of McDonough greed for as competitive a team as possible. Which is what Rocky pays him to produce; in this case McDonough lets Tallon and co. know the direction he wishes to go in. Sign Kane, Toewes, Seabrook, D Keith -- later, later...McDonough must see this as later on the agenda?
Back to Khabby. He appears slow scrambling to his feet after on ice making a save. He is injury prone. Signing him makes less liked Crawford basically taillights. Is Niemi ready for prime time? If not sure, then go with the same tandem as last year--- that's the message if Khabby talks are genuine.
I just can't see Barker YET as a future stable 2nd pair d-man. Is it possible/maybe. But his lazy feet and the desire for another good skating, puck rushing d-man is the way the league will go as speed and toughness keep being emphasized and in greater numbers on NHL rosters. Actually, I'd favor a sign and trade with the objective being to see if a mean SOB d-man (mobile enough as well) is available. I don't like Walker and Barker around. I can live with Barker/we should try very hard to fill Walker's skates. Walker (and Sopel if he remains) should be depth, as in 7th d-man.
It will be interesting to see what happens. Obviously if Havlat isn't signed by July 10 or so, it menas he might be in the running to return. That would be a better bet to occur than a Hossa taking a cut-rate deal (like he did in Detroit). Oh, one last thought...Olsen may turn out to be a good choice. But if he is to become a shutdown type, he had never be in danger of slipping from more than an average skater. His value I think is enhanced by the fact that he is a lefty-- maybe team doesn't have a lot of faith in the projection of the right side d-men vis-a-vis top pair type NHL blueliners. The other selections is a hodge podge mixture but the #2 could be a real gem. As I said in earlier posts, if you like a player enough then you trade up for him. There is questions as to whether anyone outside top 10 was worthy trade up, and Tallon doesn't hold to that trade philosophy, anyway. Meanwhile some intra division rivals have some very nice prospects moving along the developmental curve. I'm thinking of Brassard and Filatov, and Eller in St Louis.
Pronger would have looked expensive in a Hawks sweater, but he is exactly the type of player the Hawks need to be "close" to playing for the Cup.
Please, call me on my homerism, anyone, but I don't look at the Flyers and say, "it's okay, they are so much closer to winning a championship than these Hawks o' mine."
So what is Tallon implying? And what were the Ducks asking?
We all will learn how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop first.
But as a fan, I look at what the Flyers gave up to get Pronger, and I scratch my head that Tallon couldn't make something happen, ya know?
Unless you know exactly who was asked for, you can't say that Tallon made the right/wrong move. I'd be willing to bet that Anaheim would ask for a little more from the Hawks since they would have to play against them in the playoffs then they would Philly. We are closer to the Cup then we have been in a long time but that doesn't mean to be stupid and just grab anyone. Pronger would have been a nice fit but at what cost. That is the biggest question.
I can't see Pronger and Campbell getting along. What would your top two pairings be; Pronger /Keith, Campbell /Seabrook? That second pairing will turn the puck over consistently . I like the fact that Tallon is showing some patience, and is already addressing the core of the future by signing Bolland. It would be nice to see Walker replaced in the off season by someone a step faster, but let's see how this team looks 40 games into the 2009-10 season, then we can make some trades to plug in the holes.