Confirmed: Hutton move is "procedural" only. No deals imminent.

Confirmed: Hutton move is "procedural" only. No deals imminent.
- John Jaeckel

LOL! This front office is seriously going to go into this season with Corey Crawford as goalie. Even when they know they can't win with him.

Priceless!

Confirmed: Hutton move is "procedural" only. No deals imminent.
- John Jaeckel

Confirmed: Stan Bowman is negligent in his duties as General Manager of The Chicago Blackhawks.

Confirmed: Stan Bowman is negligent in his duties as General Manager of The Chicago Blackhawks.
- furso27

The "prospects" are on their way!

The "prospects" are on their way!
- CaptainBlackhawk

Hopefully, the "pink slips" are on the way, too.

And Stan Bo would shart his boxers and watch Crawford blow big playoff games again and then tell us all "the prospects are almost here!" in his post season presser.

And then the season ticket waiting list would grow...
- CaptainBlackhawk

Just a question, because I see this from a lot of people on here...if you think Bowman and McD are blowing smoke and selling kool-aid on the prospects, why would another team trade Stan anything good for these "over-hyped" prospects? It can't go both ways, they are related. I have no idea if the kids the Hawks have will pan out to be anything other than complimentary NHL players, but we mock the Hawks shoving these kids to pandering fans but then complain that Bowman can't get the pieces the Hawks need with his prized prospects. If half the posters on this board have enough Norm Maciver in them to declare the Bowman's "kids" aren't can't miss guys, why do we think anyone else wants them?

I say this as someone that doesn't see the Hawk prospects as saviors ready to step in an play top 6 minutes. But recognizing this fact also makes me think that some of the trades people think Stan Bo should be making are impossible to make. If we don't think these prospects are any good, what sense does it make that an NHL GM thinks enough of them to want to trade us a #2 C or goalie in exchange for them. We laugh at those that think Saad can replace Hossa, but we expect that Bob Murray would trade Getzlaf for someone like him or that Lehrner could poached for a combination of guys we don't want in our own organization. There's a disconnect there that I don't understand.

Just a question, because I see this from a lot of people on here...if you think Bowman and McD are blowing smoke and selling kool-aid on the prospects, why would another team trade Stan anything good for these "over-hyped" prospects? It can't go both ways, they are related. I have no idea if the kids the Hawks have will pan out to be anything other than complimentary NHL players, but we mock the Hawks shoving these kids to pandering fans but then complain that Bowman can't get the pieces the Hawks need with his prized prospects. If half the posters on this board have enough Norm Maciver in them to declare the Bowman's "kids" aren't can't miss guys, why do we think anyone else wants them?

I say this as someone that doesn't see the Hawk prospects as saviors ready to step in an play top 6 minutes. But recognizing this fact also makes me think that some of the trades people think Stan Bo should be making are impossible to make. If we don't think these prospects are any good, what sense does it make that an NHL GM thinks enough of them to want to trade us a #2 C or goalie in exchange for them. We laugh at those that think Saad can replace Hossa, but we expect that Bob Murray would trade Getzlaf for someone like him or that Lehrner could poached for a combination of guys we don't want in our own organization. There's a disconnect there that I don't understand.
- PhatJoeSki

Bowman's comments to ESPN tell me he either has some photos of someone or he is going all in on the "belief" that this was a 101 point team last year that just under-achieved in the playoffs—and/or he just can't get any deals done.

Confirmed: Stan Bowman is negligent in his duties as General Manager of The Chicago Blackhawks.
- furso27

Again we are assuming he has the final word...

I kind of feel like if a deal was close, especially for an important piece they would let him deal. He was able to deal after the Cup win because they had ZERO options.

Now that that isn't the case at a technical level and there are people in the organization that want their name on everything that goes in and out and up and down. If it isn't a sure thing or given away for nothing (see last few trades) then it doesn't get done.

You have to think if the deal was reasonable then Bowman would have done it. I don't think he is an idiot and he has made some decent deals in the past (again with his back against the wall which is not easy). However, there may be a man behind the curtain with a very large ego derailing things...

Just a question, because I see this from a lot of people on here...if you think Bowman and McD are blowing smoke and selling kool-aid on the prospects, why would another team trade Stan anything good for these "over-hyped" prospects? It can't go both ways, they are related. I have no idea if the kids the Hawks have will pan out to be anything other than complimentary NHL players, but we mock the Hawks shoving these kids to pandering fans but then complain that Bowman can't get the pieces the Hawks need with his prized prospects. If half the posters on this board have enough Norm Maciver in them to declare the Bowman's "kids" aren't can't miss guys, why do we think anyone else wants them?

I say this as someone that doesn't see the Hawk prospects as saviors ready to step in an play top 6 minutes. But recognizing this fact also makes me think that some of the trades people think Stan Bo should be making are impossible to make. If we don't think these prospects are any good, what sense does it make that an NHL GM thinks enough of them to want to trade us a #2 C or goalie in exchange for them. We laugh at those that think Saad can replace Hossa, but we expect that Bob Murray would trade Getzlaf for someone like him or that Lehrner could poached for a combination of guys we don't want in our own organization. There's a disconnect there that I don't understand.
- PhatJoeSki

Real simple answer....

Bowman isn't willing to trade ANY of his prospects. I think it's been well reported that Bowman has had trades proposed to him that involved some of those prospects but he simply wasn't ready to make the deal.

When I joke around about "prospects" they are just that.. prospects. No matter how good/bad/average they might be - they are prospects. When you can trade a prospect/current NHLer to improve your team significantly.. it would be nice to see Stan Bo.. I don't know.. do this ONCE in his general manager duties here in Chicago.

Dunno, ask Savvyone

- philco28

Hey Philco, trying hard to sucker me into this conversation?

Don't know (or care) what he did with the Hogs, IMO it is irrelevant. He has shown in his stints with the big club that he's more than capable of point duties and seemed to be especially effective with him on one side and Seabrook on the other (another guy, BTW, that doesn't get enough respect for his capabilities on the PP and not nearly enough time on that special team).

Leddy is excellent along the wall and has great vision. But more than anything, unlike Keith, he is able to get a shot off and through the crowd on-net. Plus, he has + passing skills and good instincts on the cycle.

But, don't take my word for it. Someone, somewhere (if you guys all get your wish and he gets traded) is going to give Leddy the #1PP opportunity and his point total will certainly be north of this past yr (when what, only 20 NHL defensemen were ahead of him).

The only question in my mind is whether he can make improvement on the defensive/positioning/physical side of things. Will he (like Keith) continue to be a passenger on the bus in the slot and watch opposing forwards have their way? I'm told he's gotten bigger/stronger -- and he is already a premier skater, so can he use his skating ability to full advantage????

We're either going to see it on this club -- or watch him continue to blossom on another. That's all I've got to say. You all must have a short memory, because I distinctly recalling some HORRID play out of #2 and #4 when they came up. And they HAD the advantage of being mentored by Trent Yawney. Poor Leddy, what's he's got: Kitchen and Tampon. You figure that one out. Whatever he's done, IMO he's done on his own and through sheer absorption of the guys around him. That's why I found it laughable that the "staff was not happy with his uptake of their instruction." Yeah, Mike Kitchen, he of the sterling yo-yo AHL/NHL career.

See what you did Phil, you got me started . . .

True enough on hating McNeill being part of a package. I'm looking forward to him being parked in front of the crease on the PP.

On the Goalie front, what are the Hawks going to do with Mac Carruth once his season is done?
- Beaver-Warrior

Hey Beav,

Is Carruth having such a strong season due to his play, or the defense in front of him? His numbers look very good, but numbers can be misleading. What's your take?

Bowman's comments to ESPN tell me he either has some photos of someone or he is going all in on the "belief" that this was a 101 point team last year that just under-achieved in the playoffs—and/or he just can't get any deals done.
- John Jaeckel

He whines more than any GM I have ever seen about "not being able to get deals done". I gotta a feeling that has an effect on other GM's dealings with him.

Again we are assuming he has the final word...

I kind of feel like if a deal was close, especially for an important piece they would let him deal. He was able to deal after the Cup win because they had ZERO options.

Now that that isn't the case at a technical level and there are people in the organization that want their name on everything that goes in and out and up and down. If it isn't a sure thing or given away for nothing (see last few trades) then it doesn't get done.

You have to think if the deal was reasonable then Bowman would have done it. I don't think he is an idiot and he has made some decent deals in the past (again with his back against the wall which is not easy). However, there may be a man behind the curtain with a very large ego derailing things...
- fattybeef

Disagree with the first part. Agree with the last part. I think he is gunshy and always holding out for the sweetheart deal as opposed to value for value . . . because . . . he has a giant, meddlesome, finger-pointing ego above him.

Good read and I think you hit a big difference....The defense could be much improved.


Here is my story from today, comments about defense and goal tending coming on Friday.

On the Blackhawks: The Art of Compromise - My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/VYoMzh

Hey Philco, trying hard to sucker me into this conversation?

Don't know (or care) what he did with the Hogs, IMO it is irrelevant. He has shown in his stints with the big club that he's more than capable of point duties and seemed to be especially effective with him on one side and Seabrook on the other (another guy, BTW, that doesn't get enough respect for his capabilities on the PP and not nearly enough time on that special team).

Leddy is excellent along the wall and has great vision. But more than anything, unlike Keith, he is able to get a shot off and through the crowd on-net. Plus, he has + passing skills and good instincts on the cycle.

But, don't take my word for it. Someone, somewhere (if you guys all get your wish and he gets traded) is going to give Leddy the #1PP opportunity and his point total will certainly be north of this past yr (when what, only 20 NHL defensemen were ahead of him).

The only question in my mind is whether he can make improvement on the defensive/positioning/physical side of things. Will he (like Keith) continue to be a passenger on the bus in the slot and watch opposing forwards have their way? I'm told he's gotten bigger/stronger -- and he is already a premier skater, so can he use his skating ability to full advantage????

We're either going to see it on this club -- or watch him continue to blossom on another. That's all I've got to say. You all must have a short memory, because I distinctly recalling some HORRID play out of #2 and #4 when they came up. And they HAD the advantage of being mentored by Trent Yawney. Poor Leddy, what's he's got: Kitchen and Tampon. You figure that one out. Whatever he's done, IMO he's done on his own and through sheer absorption of the guys around him. That's why I found it laughable that the "staff was not happy with his uptake of their instruction." Yeah, Mike Kitchen, he of the sterling yo-yo AHL/NHL career.

See what you did Phil, you got me started . . .
- savvyone-1

He very well might be everything you just stated. My point is very simple: You aren't winning a Stanley Cup with the current mix of players on this team. Anyone that is being rational - including this FO - knows this. You need to trade assets for assets.

Real simple answer....

Bowman isn't willing to trade ANY of his prospects. I think it's been well reported that Bowman has had trades proposed to him that involved some of those prospects but he simply wasn't ready to make the deal.

When I joke around about "prospects" they are just that.. prospects. No matter how good/bad/average they might be - they are prospects. When you can trade a prospect/current NHLer to improve your team significantly.. it would be nice to see Stan Bo.. I don't know.. do this ONCE in his general manager duties here in Chicago.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I totally agree with you, I think he has done a poor job putting together the roster over the past two seasons. There have been huge inexplainable holes. I guess I more mean that as we don't really know what has hung up these proposed deals. I have no doubt that he has whiffed on deals for not wanting to give up a prospect, but if GMs around the league feel like we do about our prospects, maybe the guys the other GMs wanted as a tweak weren't guys like Pirri or McNeil but Shaw or Kruger and that's why Stan Bo backed away. My memory isn't the best, but I think the only deal that we knew specifics about why it didn't get done was a Dallas deal that Stan didn't want to include Saad in, right?

Anyways, I'm just spit-balling. Completely agree that this stale roster needs a freshening, maybe I am just trying to kid myself that this all isn't because of a bumble-phuck front office situation.

JJ, THN ran a story on how Luke Adam's time has run out in Buffalo. Any idea if Stan kicked the tires on him? 6'2", looked good with Vanek at times last year.

Wow, can't believe what some posters would give up for a 21 year old unproven goalie. You could come out looking real good if the guy develops to his potential. On the other hand you can come out looking real bad too (minus a bunch of assets). I've seen many more young goalie prospects fail than become franchise starters.

Glad you guys aren't managing this team.

Wow, can't believe what some posters would give up for a 21 year old unproven goalie. You could come out looking real good if the guy develops to his potential. On the other hand you can come out looking real bad too (minus a bunch of assets). I've seen many more young goalie prospects fail than become franchise starters.

Glad you guys aren't managing this team.
- 67hawks

And when you're dealing prospects or young players who haven't developed.. you act as if Nick Leddy right now is the second coming of Lidstrom.

And you very well might be right that you've seen young goalie prospects fail - here's the thing... you don't have a goalie on your roster RIGHT NOW that can win a Cup with a team of forwards/defensemen that CAN win the Cup.

Is Smith from Ottawa good at the dot?

JJ, THN ran a story on how Luke Adam's time has run out in Buffalo. Any idea if Stan kicked the tires on him? 6'2", looked good with Vanek at times last year.
- ikeane

I don't think he's an answer

Is Smith from Ottawa good at the dot?
- hockey nut 28

Yes

Is Smith from Ottawa good at the dot?
- hockey nut 28

48.9% last year.

Hey Philco, trying hard to sucker me into this conversation?

Don't know (or care) what he did with the Hogs, IMO it is irrelevant. He has shown in his stints with the big club that he's more than capable of point duties and seemed to be especially effective with him on one side and Seabrook on the other (another guy, BTW, that doesn't get enough respect for his capabilities on the PP and not nearly enough time on that special team).

Leddy is excellent along the wall and has great vision. But more than anything, unlike Keith, he is able to get a shot off and through the crowd on-net. Plus, he has + passing skills and good instincts on the cycle.

But, don't take my word for it. Someone, somewhere (if you guys all get your wish and he gets traded) is going to give Leddy the #1PP opportunity and his point total will certainly be north of this past yr (when what, only 20 NHL defensemen were ahead of him).

The only question in my mind is whether he can make improvement on the defensive/positioning/physical side of things. Will he (like Keith) continue to be a passenger on the bus in the slot and watch opposing forwards have their way? I'm told he's gotten bigger/stronger -- and he is already a premier skater, so can he use his skating ability to full advantage????

We're either going to see it on this club -- or watch him continue to blossom on another. That's all I've got to say. You all must have a short memory, because I distinctly recalling some HORRID play out of #2 and #4 when they came up. And they HAD the advantage of being mentored by Trent Yawney. Poor Leddy, what's he's got: Kitchen and Tampon. You figure that one out. Whatever he's done, IMO he's done on his own and through sheer absorption of the guys around him. That's why I found it laughable that the "staff was not happy with his uptake of their instruction." Yeah, Mike Kitchen, he of the sterling yo-yo AHL/NHL career.

See what you did Phil, you got me started . . .
- savvyone-1

Nice to know you were lurking Savvy...and nice, spirited post in defence of your guy. Leddy's too young and talented to just give up on...but I saw him in Toronto recently and as you've said many times..his speed is breathtaking. And then i watch get beaten badly one on one for a goal, by a guy (Kenny Ryan) that didn't even get a callup to the Leafs. Leddy's got promise, but he's just so G-damn milk toast for my liking.

Every player has a role. Bollig is not on the team to be the best skater. He is there to keep rats like Torres from doing what he did to Hossa. Nobody changes the way they play because Bollig is on the bench. Hwaks injuries were down whenever Scott playedand nobody wanted to fight him. The Hawks went 3-1 with Scott in the line up in the playoffs vs Vancouver and 0-3 without him when Torres, Lapierre and Bieksa were running over everyone