- EKolb13

Ok. You don't want him, I don't want him, but we both know he's an upgrade over C2. So all joking aside (no steaming piles)...what would you actually, seriously be willing to give up for Lu?

I'm thinking something like Lalonde , Olesz, and a 1st. Much more than that, and Vancouver can go scratch.

Seriously...

I can't believe that I'm having an argument with a guy who thinks Beach is still a prospect.
- EKolb13

Beach man... that guy is a head case. He played here in juniors. The kid has talent, but that's it. The year before we traded to get him on our junior team, he got 1 punch knocked out by our captain... then he had to come play with most of that same team.

Ok. You don't want him, I don't want him, but we both know he's an upgrade over C2. So all joking aside (no steaming piles)...what would you actually, seriously be willing to give up for Lu?
- Ogilthorpe2

Frolik, Olesz, Crawford, Beach and a 3rd (2014) for Luser.

What deal would you do Ogie?

Thanks for some really good questions and here is the link ....

Here's my answers to some very interesting questions. Reader's Mailbag on Fox Chgo:http://ow.ly/cBh6a


On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Beach man... that guy is a head case. He played here in juniors. The kid has talent, but that's it. The year before we traded to get him on our junior team, he got 1 punch knocked out by our captain... then he had to come play with most of that same team.
- JRoenick97

I see him in Rockford. He's got his head up his ass most days. It's a shame, the guy does have some talent, and can really play when he uses his head.

Frolik, Olesz, Crawford, Beach and a 3rd (2014) for Luser.

What deal would you do Ogie?
- EKolb13

I'm thinking something like Lalonde , Olesz, and a 1st. Much more than that, and Vancouver can go scratch.

I'm thinking something like Lalonde , Olesz, and a 1st. Much more than that, and Vancouver can go scratch.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's better than what I would do. I'd say two bad contracts and Crawford would have to go in order to take Luser's bad contract.

Frolik, Olesz, Crawford, Beach and a 3rd (2014) for Luser.
- EKolb13

I think every hawks fan would do that deal. It would never happen though. Frolik can't be the main piece in a deal for Luo.

I dont foresee Van having any interest in crow or emery either as they have Lack in the wings and is a top 3 G prospect in the nhl right now.

I think every hawks fan would do that deal. It would never happen though. Frolik can't be the main piece in a deal for Luo.

I dont foresee Van having any interest in crow or emery either as they have Lack in the wings and is a top 3 G prospect in the nhl right now.
- Bhawks35

At this point, I don't see Luser moving. I think he's stuck in Vancouver until Gillis starts dropping the level of compensation he expects for him.

I just wish there'd be a move made. Any move. Then we could focus our energy on hating the move instead of message board posturing, and creative swearing.
I can only imagine how contentious this place is gonna get if the season starts late.

yeesh.

At this point, I don't see Luser moving. I think he's stuck in Vancouver until Gillis starts dropping the level of compensation he expects for him.
- EKolb13

agreed but I don't think Luo will be on the opening night roster. he just had an interview where he said it was time to move on. you cant have that in your locker room.

I think if bernier were to move first that would really hamstring gillis. There is really only 2 teams in the market for a goalie, us and Tor. I discount FLA bc for all the rumors, I don't see Tallon bringing anyone in when Markstrom is about half a season away from being able to start. I think TOR would much rather bernier than Luongo given the direction of their team. If that were to happen and burke brings jonathan in, the market place dries up for Luo and gillis loses all leverage.

I just wish there'd be a move made. Any move. Then we could focus our energy on hating the move instead of message board posturing, and creative swearing.
I can only imagine how contentious this place is gonna get if the season starts late.

yeesh.
- InvisibleOrange

Here's today's big move.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=401867

Now that is out of the way, we can go back to our regularly scheduled message board posturing and creative swearing.

At this point, I don't see Luser moving. I think he's stuck in Vancouver until Gillis starts dropping the level of compensation he expects for him.
- EKolb13

If we are going to trade for a goalie, I'd rather see it be a different goalie. Maybe Backstrom out of Minnesota. Maybe even Bernier, but if the idea is to get a proven goaltender, Bernier may not be where it's at.

agreed but I don't think Luo will be on the opening night roster. he just had an interview where he said it was time to move on. you cant have that in your locker room.

I think if bernier were to move first that would really hamstring gillis. There is really only 2 teams in the market for a goalie, us and Tor. I discount FLA bc for all the rumors, I don't see Tallon bringing anyone in when Markstrom is about half a season away from being able to start. I think TOR would much rather bernier than Luongo given the direction of their team. If that were to happen and burke brings jonathan in, the market place dries up for Luo and gillis loses all leverage.
- Bhawks35

If Luser wants his pay, he'll be in the locker room. I can't see him sitting, or playing in the minors.

Regardless of the Bernier situation, is there really a market out there for Luser, other than Toronto? I can't see Tallon being ready to punt on Markstrom, and with Clemmensen re-signed, they don't need a goalie. Is Bowman really looking for a goalie? I have my doubts that Bowman is really looking to make a move at all.

Here's today's big move.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=401867

Now that is out of the way, we can go back to our regularly scheduled message board posturing and creative swearing.


- EKolb13

why isn't there a puking emoticon? there should be.

agreed but I don't think Luo will be on the opening night roster. he just had an interview where he said it was time to move on. you cant have that in your locker room.

I think if bernier were to move first that would really hamstring gillis. There is really only 2 teams in the market for a goalie, us and Tor. I discount FLA bc for all the rumors, I don't see Tallon bringing anyone in when Markstrom is about half a season away from being able to start. I think TOR would much rather bernier than Luongo given the direction of their team. If that were to happen and burke brings jonathan in, the market place dries up for Luo and gillis loses all leverage.
- Bhawks35

Agreed all the way. But Toronto's "shift" to Bernier could also be Burke's way of driving Gillis' price down. But there are a lot of factors pointing toward two hated rivals—Chicago and Vancouver—making a deal if one GM can bring his price down and the other bring his offer up.

But something also tells me the Hawks have weathered the bad p.r. of the Convention and are going to play their hand as is.

If we are going to trade for a goalie, I'd rather see it be a different goalie. Maybe Backstrom out of Minnesota. Maybe even Bernier, but if the idea is to get a proven goaltender, Bernier may not be where it's at.
- JRoenick97

Would Minnesota being willing to trade Backstrom? They re-upped Harding, and that guy is injury prone. They have Hackett in the minors. They just shelled out big money to Parise and Suter.

If Harding isn't the answer to the future in Minnesota, where are they going to have the room to re-up Backstrom? Or is the idea to move away from Backstrom after this season?

Would Minnesota being willing to trade Backstrom? They re-upped Harding, and that guy is injury prone. They have Hackett in the minors. They just shelled out big money to Parise and Suter.

If Harding isn't the answer to the future in Minnesota, where are they going to have the room to re-up Backstrom? Or is the idea to move away from Backstrom after this season?
- EKolb13

I'm only assuming they'd be willing to move him with the big contracts they just signed, and that I've herd his name mentioned in trade options in the past couple weeks. I'm hoping he'd be an option, but Bowman may not even be looking at a goalie.

If Luser wants his pay, he'll be in the locker room. I can't see him sitting, or playing in the minors.

Regardless of the Bernier situation, is there really a market out there for Luser, other than Toronto? I can't see Tallon being ready to punt on Markstrom, and with Clemmensen re-signed, they don't need a goalie. Is Bowman really looking for a goalie? I have my doubts that Bowman is really looking to make a move at all.
- EKolb13

That very well may be true about Bowman. And I tend to agree with TOR, but I still don't see Luo on the roster. It has nothing to do with him wanting a paycheck. Van is a legit contender, gillis and Vigneault cant have the distraction that will inevitably happen from fans and reporters if Luo is still there.

Agreed all the way. But Toronto's "shift" to Bernier could also be Burke's way of driving Gillis' price down. But there are a lot of factors pointing toward two hated rivals—Chicago and Vancouver—making a deal if one GM can bring his price down and the other bring his offer up.

But something also tells me the Hawks have weathered the bad p.r. of the Convention and are going to play their hand as is.
- John Jaeckel

Good point, JJ. I agree with you and Burke is certainly cunning enough to do just that.

What are your predictions on where both Luo and Bernier end up, if anywhere? I see luo being dealt before bernier but who knows. LA doesn't really have anyone in the pipeline ready to take over the backup role. Both Jones and Zatkoff have upside but need more seasoning.

Luo to TOR. Bernier stays put. CHi goes with what they have? That would probably be my bet.

Good point, JJ. I agree with you and Burke is certainly cunning enough to do just that.

What are your predictions on where both Luo and Bernier end up, if anywhere? I see luo being dealt before bernier but who knows. LA doesn't really have anyone in the pipeline ready to take over the backup role. Both Jones and Zatkoff have upside but need more seasoning.

Luo to TOR. Bernier stays put. CHi goes with what they have? That would probably be my bet.
- Bhawks35

This is most likely in my opinion. LA doesn't seem too keen on giving up Bernier.

I still don't see Luo on the roster. It has nothing to do with him wanting a paycheck. Van is a legit contender, gillis and Vigneault cant have the distraction that will inevitably happen from fans and reporters if Luo is still there.
- Bhawks35

I'm not buying that. No way.

There is no way Gillis and Vigneault can roll with Schneider and Lack as a tandem and still expect to be contenders. Lack is a good prospect, but he's never played an NHL game.

If Luser is still in Vancouver, he'll play. If Luser isn't, I'd expect Gillis to pick up some goalie with some NHL experience to play behind Schneider. That's if Gillis doesn't have another goalie coming the other way in a Luser deal.

Luser being a clubhouse cancer and distraction this season could prove to be a valuable thing for the other 14 teams in the west.

They could get Crosby and that doesn't guarantee them a Cup.

Here's the bottom line: you saw in the playoffs that two horrendously soft goals maybe cost you a series where you were outplaying the competition—that was basically carried by the better goalie.

Crawford struggled all year to keep his job, where the Hawks' GAA was about half a goal higher than their goals for.

You've slightly improved the defense (a good thing). But the way to take the improvement to the next level is to improve your goaltending.

I for one, think the Hawk defense with Keith, Seabrook, Hammer and Oduya chewing most of the minutes is pretty damn good. Put an A List goalie behind it and ride the forwards to play the backcheck consistently and this would be a very, very hard team to beat.

I'll give Crawford this: he had some great games in the first round against Vancouver last year. Can't completely take that away from him. But other than that, haven't seen much. OK reg. season in 2010-11. And to me, 2011-12 reg season and especially playoffs take both off the board.

This is where I think Bowman contradicts himself and appears to be spinning in defense of himself.

In the summer of 2010, he said Niemi wasn't going anywhere. That to me says they wanted to/intended to keep Niemi, at least in part because they felt he was better than Crawford. If not, why make that public commitment? Why not say, well, we'll see but we feel we're covered regardless.

OK, circumstances got the better of him and he lost Niemi.

But now he talks about Crawford almost like they always knew he was really good. I mean, you can have it both ways. But it seems to me, Crawford was a default, and the stellar play for parts of 2010-11 were sort of a pleasant surprise. And, let's face it, the road of goalie history is littered with guys who were temporary revelations: Marc Denis, Jim Carey, Pascal LeClaire, Cristobal Huet, Michael Leighton, etc

Does anyone think Crawford is one of the top 10-15 goalies in the league? Why wouldn't you want one of those on your team—when clearly it gives you a marginally better chance to win games, series and Cups?
- John Jaeckel

Any goalie who cant get one shutout in an entire season playing with the hawks to me is not what is needed for the hawks to win the cup. CC is soft mentally and not a guy that can get a goalie win

Waiting for a tree service to show up and give me an estimate.

Esplen's got a blog up where he's crying about not being able to understand why no one will give Gillis anything of quality for Luser.

That's all I got.
- EKolb13

I don't know why Canucks fans can't understand that the Luongo situation is not just about trading a good goalie for a good return. When it becomes public knowledge that a player is on his way out then the return will diminish. A 33 year old goalie with a contract that goes for another 10 years is a risk, sure he will likely retire before the contract ends but what if he doesn't?

If Luongo is as great as Canucks fans think and should bring back a king's ransom then why are they trading him instead of Schneider?

I'm not buying that. No way.

There is no way Gillis and Vigneault can roll with Schneider and Lack as a tandem and still expect to be contenders. Lack is a good prospect, but he's never played an NHL game.

If Luser is still in Vancouver, he'll play. If Luser isn't, I'd expect Gillis to pick up some goalie with some NHL experience to play behind Schneider. That's if Gillis doesn't have another goalie coming the other way in a Luser deal.

Luser being a clubhouse cancer and distraction this season could prove to be a valuable thing for the other 14 teams in the west.
- EKolb13

Why can't they be a contender with that tandem? Cory has proven he can take over the load of a starter. Everyone who has ever known Cory raves of his mental game. I dont think VAN is concerned a bit with him taking over the reigns. When it comes to Lack, he hasn't played an NHL game yet but you have to start somewhere, right? It's not as if they would ask him to play 30 games next year. It would be more like a 60/20ish split between cory and Lack. Lack would be fine with that workload in his first year.

Hey, I hope you're right though. I would love Luo staying there and letting the reporters run wild with it. I just don't see it ever happening.