Barry "sign Joe Corvo" Rozner on WSCR this afternoon thinks the CBA will be resolved, and the season will be saved. Don't recall if he mentioned the lose of any games.

In an ironic twist, he thinks Don Fehr being a tough negotiator will actually expedite the negotiations.

Can't say I agree with him, but all I can do as a fan is hope for the best.
- ArlingtonRob

I'm not sure what Barry said but I think the owners need structure so they can keep each other in line.

A few months ago common opinion here and other places was no one would being signing Free Agents to mega contracts in front of the new CBA....Pretty much the opposite has happened.

In April I heard Leopold was commenting how salaries needed to be kept in line and then in July he was signing players to lifetime contracts...

The owners at the end of the day are the ones issuing players gigantic contracts...

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

This post from hfboards is something that has to be shared here:



Everybody should really read this one. Spot on!
- MjulQvist

That was the single best thing ever posted on here. Blog or comment.

Thanks for sharing

While Ive made it clear that I'm not a fan of carcillo, I would like to see the Carcillo-Kane-Hossa line get another shot.
Kane excels on the perimeter, if you can have a guy that makes some room around the net (carcillo) it would open the ice up a bit for Kane and Hossa, which can't be a bad thing.
- InvisibleOrange

Yeah I would keep them together, too. Toews with Sharp and Stalbergg, I guess. Bolland with Shaw and pprobably Bickell. They seem to have chemistry. But Bickell on a short leash. Kruger with Bollig and Hayes or mayers

I'm not sure what Barry said but I think the owners need structure so they can keep each other in line.

A few months ago common opinion here and other places was no one would being signing Free Agents to mega contracts in front of the new CBA....Pretty much the opposite has happened.

In April I heard Leopold was commenting how salaries needed to be kept in line and then in July he was signing players to lifetime contracts...

The owners at the end of the day are the ones issuing players gigantic contracts...

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Al...

I'm with you completely. Now sure how the owners can insist on a salary rollback while simultaneously signing players to 8-10M contracts, or deals with absurd signing bonuses and decade long terms. Call me crazy, but that seems to undermine their stated position...

...that players make too much money.

I've described it before as...

the owners demanding that the players need to control the owners.

In light of the apparent paradox, I am not sure the salary cap can be maintained. Owners insist on the cap, but act like it doesn't exist. In a supposed free market where skilled players compete for jobs, and wealthy owners bid on players...

...how can salaries be controlled.

It may evolve into what is seen in the NBA where the best players get max deals...an amount that cannot be surpassed. Intangibles will determine where players go, not money.

It's a mess now and it will get messier.

This post from hfboards is something that has to be shared here:



Everybody should really read this one. Spot on!
- MjulQvist

Can't agree with a lot of it...

If summed up as to one reason why the Hawks were the best team in 2010...

It was because they were so deep. Concensus around the NHL, not only by me but others who faced the Hawks or scouted them was the same.

The Hawks had the best third line in hockey as well as fourth line.

It was exactly because players like Ladd, Versteeg etc were capable of more but excelled at the roles they were asked to play here.

Bowman's big acquisition to help in that season wasn't Nick Leddy...

It was Kim Johnsson, who was not even in Chicago proper when the playoffs started.

But the Hawks were so good and deep that year it didn't matter at all.

While Ive made it clear that I'm not a fan of carcillo, I would like to see the Carcillo-Kane-Hossa line get another shot.
Kane excels on the perimeter, if you can have a guy that makes some room around the net (carcillo) it would open the ice up a bit for Kane and Hossa, which can't be a bad thing.
- InvisibleOrange

If Saad doesn't start the season in Chicago then I agree (hopefully that's the case).

Sharp - Toews - Stalberg
Carcillo - Kane - Hossa
Shaw - Bolland - Frolik
Bickell - Kruger - Bollig/Hayes (one on the 4th & the other in Rockford)
Mayers

Can't agree with a lot of it...

If summed up as to one reason why the Hawks were the best team in 2010...

It was because they were so deep. Concensus around the NHL, not only by me but others who faced the Hawks or scouted them was the same.

The Hawks had the best third line in hockey as well as a 4th line.

It was exactly because players like Ladd, Versteeg etc were capable of more but excelled at the roles they were asked to play here.

Bowman's big acquisition to help in that season wasn't Nick Leddy...

It was Kim Johnsson, who was not even in Chicago proper when the playoffs started.

But the Hawks were so good and deep that year it didn't matter at all.
- Al

I'm agreeing with you alot tonight Al..

Kim Johnsson was a very good player and it's a shame he got concussed so quickly. A deep Hawks team would have been deeper and better.

And it would have been nice to see him celebrate a cup win as well.

I'm agreeing with you alot tonight Al..

Kim Johnsson was a very good player and it's a shame he got concussed so quickly. A deep Hawks team would have been deeper and better.

And it would have been nice to see him celebrate a cup win as well.

- ArlingtonRob

....I'm agreeing with you alot tonight Al..


Be careful!

Can't agree with a lot of it...

If summed up as to one reason why the Hawks were the best team in 2010...

It was because they were so deep. Concensus around the NHL, not only by me but others who faced the Hawks or scouted them was the same.

The Hawks had the best third line in hockey as well as fourth line.

It was exactly because players like Ladd, Versteeg etc were capable of more but excelled at the roles they were asked to play here.

Bowman's big acquisition to help in that season wasn't Nick Leddy...

It was Kim Johnsson, who was not even in Chicago proper when the playoffs started.

But the Hawks were so good and deep that year it didn't matter at all.
- Al

I don't believe the poster was saying the team wasn't deep. He was giving an example of what the fan base would have said if we ended up losing that series. The reason we won the cup was because of our depth but if we had lost people would have said it's because guys like eager, madden and burrish weren't very good.
I think he nailed the the overall pulse of the fan base.

I don't believe the poster was saying the team wasn't deep. He was giving an example of what the fan base would have said if we ended up losing that series. The reason we won the cup was because of our depth but if we had lost people would have said it's because guys like eager, madden and burrish weren't very good.
I think he nailed the the overall pulse of the fan base.
- Bhawks35

I think if we lost the series...And I think that series could have been played 10 times and the Hawks would have won 9 out of 10 times...

But if Hawks lost the blame would have fell on Niemi is my guess....Dont see a way the bottom six forwards of Philly that year would have outplayed those of Chgo.

>Owners have always needed some structure to protect them from each other in every sport
>Think the Flyer offer sheet for Weber was a more significant act than just trying to get a player
>It was one of the cornerstone NHL franchises fed-up with ridiculous trade demands for Weber's rights from a franchise that has neither the financial means (already getting $ from city of Nashville), fan following, or league impact to matter
>Snider basically said, "OK, you think you are big market, then here's a big market financial risk for you."
>Wonder how Rocky Wirtz likes competing against HIMSELF (NHL owns the Coyotes) for Shane Doan
>I'm fed up with individuals and entities of any kind spending money THEY DO NOT HAVE
>Bettman is in deep do-do -- most of his "add-on" franchises are in serious financial trouble and Wirtz, Dolan, Ilitch, the rest of the Original Six, Snider, Canucks, and a few others -- do not need these "hockey missionary" franchises
>How would you like to see SIX Hawk vs Canucks regular games at the UC every year? (won't happen but one can dream)
>NHL needs contraction or more billionaire owners who can lose money on their playtoy teams -- ooops -- there's not even enough of those guys right now
>NHLPA surely doesn't want any NHL job reductions -- so Fehr will lose -- whether it takes 2 months or 2 years
>This negotiation will go exactly the way the cornerstone owners want it to go -- they have the buildings, dollars, and wherewithal to stay closed for as long as it takes for them to win two battles -- one with the NHLPA and the other with the "Bettman add-on franchises"
>Bettman will remind all owners that after the last lock-out, hockey came back stronger than ever

I think if we lost the series...And I think that series could have been played 10 times and the Hawks would have won 9 out of 10 times...

But if Hawks lost the blame would have fell on Niemi is my guess....Dont see a way the bottom six forwards of Philly that year would have outplayed those of Chgo.
- Al

completely agree with you. that team was by far the deepest and best team in the year that league.
Im just commenting on the tone of the article by that poster. He wasn't arguing the depth of the team or anything like that. The entire post was talking about the "what have you done for me lately" outlook of the fan base. How people wanted to fire Tallon up until 2009 and then he wins the cup and is the greatest gm in hockey. How stan bowman has never done a single thing correctly etc etc.

As much I enjoy most of what JJ has to say about the team he is guilty of this as well. Last year a stretch of his blogs talked about the hawks being a legit cup contender and how the west was wide open etc..then if we lost 2 or 3 in a row we would be lucky to make the playoffs and we would be an easy out first round if we did. Last year the team he picked to go to the cup is the exact same team this year that he says is a one and done team if we make it.
That kind of attitude and outlook on the team is exactly what the poster was referring to. And he couldn't be more accurate with that.

completely agree with you. that team was by far the deepest and best team in the year that league.
Im just commenting on the tone of the article by that poster. He wasn't arguing the depth of the team or anything like that. The entire post was talking about the "what have you done for me lately" outlook of the fan base. How people wanted to fire Tallon up until 2009 and then he wins the cup and is the greatest gm in hockey. How stan bowman has never done a single thing correctly etc etc.

As much I enjoy most of what JJ has to say about the team he is guilty of this as well. Last year a stretch of his blogs talked about the hawks being a legit cup contender and how the west was wide open etc..then if we lost 2 or 3 in a row we would be lucky to make the playoffs and we would be an easy out first round if we did. Last year the team he picked to go to the cup is the exact same team this year that he says is a one and done team if we make it.
That kind of attitude and outlook on the team is exactly what the poster was referring to. And he couldn't be more accurate with that.
- Bhawks35

I will let JJ swing for himself but the year the Hawks won the Cup I felt they had a great chance....This season once there were not any more improvements at the deadline and the injuries mounted, I never felt the Hawks had a great shot at a long run....Although I thought they should beat the Coyotes.

As far as the poster...There is a danger in making a comment on a post from another thread as context matters.

I think the common Hawks fan is of different mindset than many that are regular readers of JJ or myself.


On Twittter@AlCimaglia

>Owners have always needed some structure to protect them from each other in every sport
>Think the Flyer offer sheet for Weber was a more significant act than just trying to get a player
>It was one of the cornerstone NHL franchises fed-up with ridiculous trade demands for Weber's rights from a franchise that has neither the financial means (already getting $ from city of Nashville), fan following, or league impact to matter
>Snider basically said, "OK, you think you are big market, then here's a big market financial risk for you."
>Wonder how Rocky Wirtz likes competing against HIMSELF (NHL owns the Coyotes) for Shane Doan
>I'm fed up with individuals and entities of any kind spending money THEY DO NOT HAVE
>Bettman is in deep do-do -- most of his "add-on" franchises are in serious financial trouble and Wirtz, Dolan, Ilitch, the rest of the Original Six, Snider, Canucks, and a few others -- do not need these "hockey missionary" franchises
>How would you like to see SIX Hawk vs Canucks regular games at the UC every year? (won't happen but one can dream)
>NHL needs contraction or more billionaire owners who can lose money on their playtoy teams -- ooops -- there's not even enough of those guys right now
>NHLPA surely doesn't want any NHL job reductions -- so Fehr will lose -- whether it takes 2 months or 2 years
>This negotiation will go exactly the way the cornerstone owners want it to go -- they have the buildings, dollars, and wherewithal to stay closed for as long as it takes for them to win two battles -- one with the NHLPA and the other with the "Bettman add-on franchises"
>Bettman will remind all owners that after the last lock-out, hockey came back stronger than ever
- SnapitUpstairs

If Bettman and the owners think that another lock-out will have hockey come back stronger than ever...they are delusional.

All of the gains will be lost.

The pattern cannot be... an extended lock-out every 5 years...and the game will be better.

Seems as though an extended lock-out will have negative effects on the small to mid market clubs more so...so the lockout could cause a riff between the owners.

Will be interesting to see how it unfolds.

My Canadian buddy said this a few weeks back and it bears repeating.

PATRICK KANE IS THE AMERICAN ALEX SEMIN!!

Yes I know not exactly, but both are enigmas of sorts.

My Canadian buddy said this a few weeks back and it bears repeating.

PATRICK KANE IS THE AMERICAN ALEX SEMIN!!

Yes I know not exactly, but both are enigmas of sorts.
- TrueGrit

I've often thought if someone were to describe Kane without actually saying his name or describing what he looks like most would think he is a stereotypical Russian hockey star.

AMAZING skills but tough to motivate, takes shifts off, no defense, can't lead, loves the party life more than the game.

Seems to me Columbus is quietly getting much more physical. Dubinsky, Anisimov, Foligno, Erixon. Especially at forward.

I don't think they are a playoff team yet but I do think they will be tougher to beat this year than last.

If Bettman and the owners think that another lock-out will have hockey come back stronger than ever...they are delusional.

All of the gains will be lost.

The pattern cannot be... an extended lock-out every 5 years...and the game will be better.

Seems as though an extended lock-out will have negative effects on the small to mid market clubs more so...so the lockout could cause a riff between the owners.

Will be interesting to see how it unfolds.
- ArlingtonRob

>That is one of my points -- there already is a rift between the owners
>Yes, I would agree that an extended lock-out hurts small and mid-market teams AND NHL players, too -- not cornerstone owners -- exactly my point
>And Bettman is getting squeezed from two sides -- the cornerstone owners and the NHLPA
>And Fehr cannot win if he is dedicated to protecting the current number of NHL jobs
>Cornerstone owners welcomed further expansion because expansion fees were money in their pocket and "Gary's TV vision" meant more revenues
>Isn't interesting that the Winter Classic is the NHL's big TV money maker? And what are the teams featured? (cornerstone franchises)
>Think Ed and Rocky don't already know this?

>That is one of my points -- there already is a rift between the owners
>Yes, I would agree that an extended lock-out hurts small and mid-market teams AND NHL players, too -- not cornerstone owners -- exactly my point
>And Bettman is getting squeezed from two sides -- the cornerstone owners and the NHLPA
>And Fehr cannot win if he is dedicated to protecting the current number of NHL jobs
>Cornerstone owners welcomed further expansion because expansion fees were money in their pocket and "Gary's TV vision" meant more revenues
>Isn't interesting that the Winter Classic is the NHL's big TV money maker? And what are the teams featured? (cornerstone franchises)
>Think Ed and Rocky don't already know this?
- SnapitUpstairs

Don't know why all o fthe sudden people are thinking there will be a contraction - Phoenix is the most likely, as ownership problems continue, but the reis a simple solution: Quebec City, Hamilton (expensive), maybe Seattle if they want to keep it in the US.

Would also want to contract 2 if any contraction happens to get to 4X7 - don't think there's any other contraction talk out there.

I think no contraction this round.

Don't know why all o fthe sudden people are thinking there will be a contraction - Phoenix is the most likely, as ownership problems continue, but the reis a simple solution: Quebec City, Hamilton (expensive), maybe Seattle if they want to keep it in the US.

Would also want to contract 2 if any contraction happens to get to 4X7 - don't think there's any other contraction talk out there.

I think no contraction this round.
- StLBravesFan

I think unless there's absolutely no other way to get around it, they won't contract anybody. It would look really bad (never mind for a minute how it actually might help quality of the league) if on Bettman's watch, the league actually contracts? One of the major 4 professional sports leagues in North America contracting? In 2012/13/14? That's some awful PR for the league, nevermind the players fighting that tooth and nail. We'll definitely have more franchise relocations than contraction.

My Canadian buddy said this a few weeks back and it bears repeating.

PATRICK KANE IS THE AMERICAN ALEX SEMIN!!

Yes I know not exactly, but both are enigmas of sorts.
- TrueGrit

Maybe a better comparison in 5 years Semin Is 28.

Seems to me Columbus is quietly getting much more physical. Dubinsky, Anisimov, Foligno, Erixon. Especially at forward.

I don't think they are a playoff team yet but I do think they will be tougher to beat this year than last.
- moylander

Not unless that have an epiphany in net....there goaltenders blow

This blog has very little credibility in that there is no way any team will make an offer longer than 4 years. If you understood the CBA and investigated Doan's age, there would be no need to even explain why. Which, IMHO is the very least anyone should do before purposing a rumor of a possible offer length of 5 years.

You should be ashamed that you are so lazy you can't even make things up that can hold water because you are ignorant of the facts.
- Sabretooter

Worry about your own club with it's long list of problems.

Credibility...really? Since when do rumors require credibility? If they had any cred, they wouldn't really be rumors then would they.

For laughs, and out of boredom, we've tossed more shyt around on this blog since July than all the monkeys in the Bronx Zoo combined.

Piss off ya wanker!

This blog has very little credibility in that there is no way any team will make an offer longer than 4 years. If you understood the CBA and investigated Doan's age, there would be no need to even explain why. Which, IMHO is the very least anyone should do before purposing a rumor of a possible offer length of 5 years.

You should be ashamed that you are so lazy you can't even make things up that can hold water because you are ignorant of the facts.
- Sabretooter

That's rich coming from a sabers fan

Can't agree with a lot of it...

If summed up as to one reason why the Hawks were the best team in 2010...

It was because they were so deep. Concensus around the NHL, not only by me but others who faced the Hawks or scouted them was the same.

The Hawks had the best third line in hockey as well as fourth line.

It was exactly because players like Ladd, Versteeg etc were capable of more but excelled at the roles they were asked to play here.

Bowman's big acquisition to help in that season wasn't Nick Leddy...

It was Kim Johnsson, who was not even in Chicago proper when the playoffs started.

But the Hawks were so good and deep that year it didn't matter at all.
- Al

I agree, the Hawks were deep. But not so deep concerning dmen and were lucky no dmen went down for an extended period of time. The Hawks barely got by Nashville in the first round and were lucky to play the Flyers in the final. The Hawks also won with a rookie and unproven goaltender. Niemi looked great in his limited starts, but once he got the reins in the spring - he was less than spectacular. But he did make timely saves and limited the easy goals. SB got lucky with his gamble.