I have to go to the bathroom.
- John Jaeckel

You gotta go, you gotta go.

I picture McNeill more like a Troy Brouwer, only a little better (not offense intended on Brouwer). Time will tell what type of player McNeill will develop into, maybe he'll just be a McNeill.
- DarthKane

Nothing wrong With turning into a brouwer, either. I do hope he can bring a better scoring touch in the playoffs especially. He does have more speed

If you want a current/former Hawk reference for each:

Danault=Bolland
Saad= sort of a poor man's Hossa (similar overall skill set and game, but not at the same overall talent level)

I don't think either is really a Ladd type player.
- John Jaeckel

Agree 100% with Danault - Bolland comparison. He likely replaces #36 who either leaves as a FA or gets traded eventually for other needs.

Stanbow is going to have some very tough personnel decisions to make with all of the young talent playing in the minors and no free agents to be imminent - Morin, Saad, Hayes x 2, Shaw, Lalonde, Olsen, Beach, McNeill, the Russian kid, Clendening etc all can't play in Chicago.

Surely he can locate a better than average goalie with all of that to offer up in trade.

Agree 100% with Danault - Bolland comparison. He likely replaces #36 who either leaves as a FA or gets traded eventually for other needs.

Stanbow is going to have some very tough personnel decisions to make with all of the young talent playing in the minors and no free agents to be imminent - Morin, Saad, Hayes x 2, Shaw, Lalonde, Olsen, Beach, McNeill, the Russian kid, Clendening etc all can't play in Chicago.

Surely he can locate a better than average goalie with all of that to offer up in trade.
- RickJ

Or, the known quantity at the NHL level (Bolland) stays, and the unproven prospect (Dannault) gets traded for other needs.

Or both Bolland and Danault stay and other vets go. Maybe 1 that can bring a great return. I'm not mentioning any names, though. Its too bad there is a cap because it would be great to keep the big 4 AND Bolland and fill out the other spots with great young talent like Stalberg, Shaw, Danault, McNeill, Morin, Saad, and Beach

Or, the known quantity at the NHL level (Bolland) stays, and the unproven prospect (Dannault) gets traded for other needs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Your way only works if the Hawks want to commit about $16-$18 mill to keep Bolland.

They have already sent feelers out and when/if the ship starts to take on water Bolland will be the first to go.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Your way only works if the Hawks want to commit about $16-$18 mill to keep Bolland.

They have already sent feelers out and when/if the ship starts to take on water Bolland will be the first to go.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

That is really sad news to hear. I can see why and to me it is ONLY about his injury history. It is a gamble with him and the back and head issues. He does seem healthier lately. But he is one of the best shut-down guys, especially in the playoffs. It will be a huge loss. Plus with his injury past and his lack of huge stats, I don't see his value being that great. He will get a solid return, but I think we need an IMPACT return. I still feel we are just a few really very good secondary and gritty forwards away from being a real threat again. That and a better goalie

Your way only works if the Hawks want to commit about $16-$18 mill to keep Bolland.

They have already sent feelers out and when/if the ship starts to take on water Bolland will be the first to go.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

If Sharp is worth $5.9 per, then Bolland is worth at least $4.0.

4 years X $4.0-4.5 = $16-18...sign me up.

If Sharp is worth $5.9 per, then Bolland is worth at least $4.0.

4 years X $4.0-4.5 = $16-18...sign me up.
- Ogilthorpe2

I would first lke them to give Bolland a good, solid month as the 2C to see if he can hack it up there. If so, you move Bolland up with Kruger being his replacement short term and Danault waiting in the wings.

That is really sad news to hear. I can see why and to me it is ONLY about his injury history. It is a gamble with him and the back and head issues. He does seem healthier lately. But he is one of the best shut-down guys, especially in the playoffs. It will be a huge loss. Plus with his injury past and his lack of huge stats, I don't see his value being that great. He will get a solid return, but I think we need an IMPACT return. I still feel we are just a few really very good secondary and gritty forwards away from being a real threat again. That and a better goalie
- tomcat24

To be clear I am not advocating a trade....But from what I heard early in the summer and the apparent quick progression of Danault, the dots are there to be connected.

I have written and said for a long time Tallon and later Q. valued Bolland a great deal. There was a reason why he was the first that summer to be signed to hefty contract when back issues were apparent. The Hawks knew they needed Bolland.

There are also reasons now to consider him as one of the players to be gone sooner than later if the boat starts to rock.

I like Bolland a lot and can accept his flaws, but at some point contract size and his injury history will matter a great deal as well as apparently having a younger cheaper replacement.

I will say it now and have said before....Trading Bolland alone won't solve the 2nd line center issue and in my view and he shouldn't be traded unless that hole can be filled.

To be clear I am not advocating a trade....But from what I heard early in the summer and the apparent quick progression of Danault, the dots are there to be connected.

I have written and said for a long time Tallon and later Q. valued Bolland a great deal. There was a reason why he was the first that summer to be signed to hefty contract when back issues were apparent. The Hawks knew they needed Bolland.

There are also reasons now to consider him as one of the players to be gone sooner than later if the boat starts to rock.

I like Bolland a lot and can accept his flaws, but at some point contract size and his injury history will matter a great deal as well as apparently having a younger cheaper replacement.
I will say it now and have said before....Trading Bolland alone won't solve the 2nd line center issue and in my view and he shouldn't be traded unless that hole can be filled.
- Al

Healthy, natural evolution for any team that has depth and has drafted well. If Bolland isn't traded before his contract expires, he probably moves on as FA to greener pastures where he can get a bigger contract than what the Hawks would be willing to negotiate given the replacement youth they have in their system. (Danault, Kruger, McNeill, Hayes) ................ Nothing against Bolly, but we arent talking about losing a Top 25 player in the NHL here.

I would first lke them to give Bolland a good, solid month as the 2C to see if he can hack it up there. If so, you move Bolland up with Kruger being his replacement short term and Danault waiting in the wings.
- NewToHockey

I think the long term answer is Danault/McNeill or McNeill/Danault at 2C/3C with both Bollard and Kruger going bye-bye.

Even though McNeill is a center I think he might becone a Ladd type player. Tough, WHL guy who is used in all situations. Penalty kill, match up against other teams top guys like Ladd. Fights, hits. Don't really know his ceiling as far as scoring at nhl level, though
- tomcat24

Yes

You gotta go, you gotta go.
- Beaver-Warrior

I dont know how many of the others are getting this. Good stuff, man.

Or, the known quantity at the NHL level (Bolland) stays, and the unproven prospect (Dannault) gets traded for other needs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Bolland has a bad back and a bad concussion history. Danault, who might already be thicker physically than Bolland, doesn't. All the scouting on Danault is he can do the things Bolland does—or looks to be on track to do so. But he is a better skater and maybe better on draws at the NHL level.

I dont know how many of the others are getting this. Good stuff, man.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ. Hard to believe that it premiered 40 years ago.

From earlier in the evening: You can't kill a cop, Mikey

Thanks JJ. Hard to believe that it premiered 40 years ago.

From earlier in the evening: You can't kill a cop, Mikey
- Beaver-Warrior

Late to the trivia fest... but that's still the best movie ever in my view.

Bolland has a bad back and a bad concussion history. Danault, who might already be thicker physically than Bolland, doesn't. All the scouting on Danault is he can do the things Bolland does—or looks to be on track to do so. But he is a better skater and maybe better on draws at the NHL level.
- John Jaeckel

Until he does it on the big stage, under the bright lights...he's just another prospect.

Until he does it on the big stage, under the bright lights...he's just another prospect.
- Ogilthorpe2

Dr. Obvious

Problem with getting rid of Bolland is that if he plays a healthy season he is going to be a 20G 40P type of guy not to mention his playoff worth. That said, I don't know how you can in good conscience sign a third line center to $4+mil.

Al, can you elaborate on who was sent feelers on Bolland? What the response was like?

I know its easy to pick Bolland out as so easy to replace but I think some of the big. 4 can be replaced, too. Maybe not as far as putting up the individual poiints they put up. Buut with the right return the team can end up being more competiiitive. This team really needs to change it's style. Pllay a lot tougher and gritttier. Score the garbage goals

Problem with getting rid of Bolland is that if he plays a healthy season he is going to be a 20G 40P type of guy not to mention his playoff worth. That said, I don't know how you can in good conscience sign a third line center to $4+mil.

Al, can you elaborate on who was sent feelers on Bolland? What the response was like?
- nathanjf

I wrote in the beginning of the summer I heard Bolland was made available...
But that was before Q. won his power struggle, afterward the whispers stopped which was no surprise.

All I know is since the summer of 2010 when I heard the list of who Hawk management deemed as untouchable (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Bolland, Sharp, Keith and Seabrook)....

Bolland was the only player of that group I have ever heard was made available.

Q. is a big Bolland backer so once he got back firmly in the saddle it didn't surprise me the Bolland trade chatter ended.

Right now, if things go sour he is my chalk of the group mentioned to be gone first.

But trading Bolland will leave a big hole to fill.....

Bolland and his line was a huge reason the Hawks won the Cup.

I wrote in the beginning of the summer I heard Bolland was made available...
But that was before Q. won his power struggle, afterward the whispers stopped which was no surprise.

All I know is since the summer of 2010 when I heard the list of who Hawk management deemed as untouchable (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Bolland, Sharp, Keith and Seabrook)....

Bolland was the only player of that group I have ever heard was made available.

Q. is a big Bolland backer so once he got back firmly in the saddle it didn't surprise me the Bolland trade chatter ended.

Right now, if things go sour he is my chalk of the group mentioned to be gone first.

But trading Bolland will leave a big hole to fill.....

Bolland and his line was a huge reason the Hawks won the Cup.
- Al

I've always been a huge Bolland fan. Personally, I'd like to see him be a Blackhawk for life.

I've always been a huge Bolland fan. Personally, I'd like to see him be a Blackhawk for life.
- DarthKane

Only in a uncapped world.

I don't know where you live.. And if you have the chance their Enjoy By was amazing.. in Chicago, it was in Aug-Sept, I was only able to get my hands on 3 bottles.. SOOOOOO good.

Their normal beer, I still love me some Stone Pale Ale. Fell in love with it almost 6 years ago on a trip out to SD.. Also most beer are on the shelves for 180 days, Stone pulls theirs after 90.. Another reason to love them.
- victorymc98

I live in Chicago.

5 Star in Ukrainian village / Noble Square usually has Levitation but it goes fast. I got the last one they had in the fridge on Thursday.

Grand Lux off Michigan has (or did as of a few weeks ago) their Pale Ale on tap which is delicious.