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
- Al

Nice Al...as i said on page 1 of this thread....the 88-36-10 line is the most intriguing line to me.

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

You've captured Bowman's thought/fear process perfectly.

OK, Dude, here's the deal. This is about evaluating talent and having confidence in your judgement. We know Stanley is "confident" in his own guys—but that's the easy way out, isn't it?

If he was talking to Ottawa about Lehner, and offering Leddy (as I was told) then it's fair to say they had some confidence that Lehner would be a valuable asset. This guy is ripping it up in the AHL this year certainly having a better year than Crawford or Niemi ever dreamt of) and has been compared for a variety of reasons to Henrik Lundqvist (the best G in hockey).

Point is, if it's all risk, why even consider dealing leddy fo rhim. Or, if you think he can be the guy for the next ten years, you step uop and get the deal done.

That's the problem, Bowman's rhetoric and his trade history suggest he is so afraid of being second guessed—while he can defer judgement by hyping prospects who are 2-3 years out.

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
- EspoForever

Agreed

You've captured Bowman's thought/fear process perfectly.

OK, Dude, here's the deal. This is about evaluating talent and having confidence in your judgement. We know Stanley is "confident" in his own guys—but that's the easy way out, isn't it?

If he was talking to Ottawa about Lehner, and offering Leddy (as I was told) then it's fair to say they had some confidence that Lehner would be a valuable asset. This guy is ripping it up in the AHL this year certainly having a better year than Crawford or Niemi ever dreamt of) and has been compared for a variety of reasons to Henrik Lundqvist (the best G in hockey).

Point is, if it's all risk, why even consider dealing leddy fo rhim. Or, if you think he can be the guy for the next ten years, you step uop and get the deal done.

That's the problem, Bowman's rhetoric and his trade history suggest he is so afraid of being second guessed—while he can defer judgement by hyping prospects who are 2-3 years out.
- John Jaeckel

Sorry, but what's he won ?

Sorry, but what's he won ?
- philco28

He's won nothing - neither have any of the prospects that Stan Bo might be giving up have won anything.

Cam Ward, Niemi were both rookies off the top of my head who won Cups.

Hank hasn't won anything either - but he's still widely regarded as the best goalie in the game. What does that have to do with this argument?

I'll be glad to give you numerous goalies who won a Cup playing in their first Final as well.

He's won nothing - neither have any of the prospects that Stan Bo might be giving up have won anything.

Cam Ward, Niemi were both rookies off the top of my head who won Cups

I'll be glad to give you numerous goalies who won a Cup playing in their first Final as well.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Ken Dryden 4 sure against us

Ken Dryden 4 sure against us
- philco28

He as well!

Sorry, but what's he won ?
- philco28

What had Niemi won? What had Crawford won in October 2010? Please.

What had Niemi won? What had Crawford won in October 2010? Please.
- John Jaeckel

JJ..c'mon...you called Lundquist the BEST goalie in hockey. He's great, but the best ?

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.
- philco28

Always lurking, Phil, always
It doesn't surprise me to hear this -- some guys, for whatever reason, just sort of play to the level of who's around them -- good or bad.

What I've seen from Leddy when he's been up has been glimpses of great combined with some really questionable decision-making. I think he's been (and may still be) hampered by this club's coaching staff. I don't think he's ever going to get anything valuable out of Q and even less likely out of Kitch or Tampon. So it leaves a guy like Leddy to his own devices to be better. Seems like the kind of guy that's pretty good at absorbing what goes on around him, thus his glimpses of good here. Also, for the same reason, the glimpses of bad.

You don't think he learns by example, watching Keith stick wave at guys in the slot? Again, I'm most interested to see how he looks in the NHL this yr with another yr under his belt and sounds like a bit more muscle. Whether that translates into less milquetoast (yeah, funny word -- I got questioned about it by my family, where does that word come from, etc.) and more physicality, we'll find out soon.

BTW, I also get it as far as Leddy being a desirable/valuable trade chip. I'm not so crazy to think he won't get traded -- I just hope if he does, he brings back a nice return and helps to fill a need. Me? I would have rather seen some of the guys that signed NOT have a NMC or NTC -- so if we had to trade a D to fill a hole we might have done so and kept Leddy. But that's Stanley for you, don't think he quite understands how the game is played.

You've captured Bowman's thought/fear process perfectly.

OK, Dude, here's the deal. This is about evaluating talent and having confidence in your judgement. We know Stanley is "confident" in his own guys—but that's the easy way out, isn't it?

If he was talking to Ottawa about Lehner, and offering Leddy (as I was told) then it's fair to say they had some confidence that Lehner would be a valuable asset. This guy is ripping it up in the AHL this year certainly having a better year than Crawford or Niemi ever dreamt of) and has been compared for a variety of reasons to Henrik Lundqvist (the best G in hockey).

Point is, if it's all risk, why even consider dealing leddy fo rhim. Or, if you think he can be the guy for the next ten years, you step uop and get the deal done.

That's the problem, Bowman's rhetoric and his trade history suggest he is so afraid of being second guessed—while he can defer judgement by hyping prospects who are 2-3 years out.
- John Jaeckel

Thats why, as a professional GM in the NHL, how has he not looked around and seen whats happened over the past couple of seasons.

The teams that get the top guys on the market are the ones that overpay. Its just the way it is. Nobody is shipping the on demand guy for a marginal or break even return. Even Rick Nash, who pretty much had to be moved (and trust me, i know CBJ could have fetched a better return). But CBJ basically got two top 6 players for their team (even though dubinsky might be better suited for 3rd line but will play line 2 in CBJ) and a top 5 dman for them in erixon on TOP of a 1st round pick

Now bash howson all you want, but you cant ring Bowmans bell here either. Does anyone really think Bowman would have parted ways with a blue line prospect in erixon (maybe a clendening type hawks prospect), a stalberg, a kruger, and a 1st round pick?

Sad to say, i think Bowman balks at that type of offering.

Scott Gomez is now a UFA. Worth a look?

Scott Gomez is now a UFA. Worth a look?
- furso27

Not since 2008

We'll see, I also heard yesterday they had kicked the tires on Bernier but LA was not ready to deal him due to questions about Quick.

Seems to me, without knowing more, there are some dots that could be connected here—Hawks looking at AHL with #1A potential or/NHL 1B with 1A potential goalies, Hutton being waived, etc.

It is also possible the Hawks make a move for Bishop as I heard they had some level of interest in all three top OTT goalies, but Lehner was the guy they really wanted.
- John Jaeckel

Plz, let LA deal him to the Hawks.. PLZ

Scott Gomez is now a UFA. Worth a look?
- furso27

Hellz no..."he feels responsible for Goose...and he has a confidence problem."

Scott Gomez is now a UFA. Worth a look?
- furso27

At what price? And as long as its a 2way deal

Always lurking, Phil, always
It doesn't surprise me to hear this -- some guys, for whatever reason, just sort of play to the level of who's around them -- good or bad.

What I've seen from Leddy when he's been up has been glimpses of great combined with some really questionable decision-making. I think he's been (and may still be) hampered by this club's coaching staff. I don't think he's ever going to get anything valuable out of Q and even less likely out of Kitch or Tampon. So it leaves a guy like Leddy to his own devices to be better. Seems like the kind of guy that's pretty good at absorbing what goes on around him, thus his glimpses of good here. Also, for the same reason, the glimpses of bad.

You don't think he learns by example, watching Keith stick wave at guys in the slot? Again, I'm most interested to see how he looks in the NHL this yr with another yr under his belt and sounds like a bit more muscle. Whether that translates into less milquetoast (yeah, funny word -- I got questioned about it by my family, where does that word come from, etc.) and more physicality, we'll find out soon.

BTW, I also get it as far as Leddy being a desirable/valuable trade chip. I'm not so crazy to think he won't get traded -- I just hope if he does, he brings back a nice return and helps to fill a need. Me? I would have rather seen some of the guys that signed NOT have a NMC or NTC -- so if we had to trade a D to fill a hole we might have done so and kept Leddy. But that's Stanley for you, don't think he quite understands how the game is played.
- savvyone-1

JJ..c'mon...you called Lundquist the BEST goalie in hockey. He's great, but the best ?
- philco28

IMO . . . the BEST.

Plz, let LA deal him to the Hawks.. PLZ
- victorymc98

LA not dealing him at this time

Scott Gomez is now a UFA. Worth a look?
- furso27

No

IMO . . . the BEST.
- John Jaeckel

Fair enough. I respect your opinion, but have a different one and my guy has a ring: Jonathan Quick.

JJ..c'mon...you called Lundquist the BEST goalie in hockey. He's great, but the best ?
- philco28

If you could have any goalie in the league right now who would it be? For me its Lundqvist or Rinne, but I'd go with Lundqvist.

Fair enough. I respect your opinion, but have a different one and my guy has a ring: Jonathan Quick.
- philco28

IMO, I take Carey Price.

Guy has stood on his head the past few seasons since taking over full time and has played behind some awful Montreal teams, especially on defense

Actually saw him score on a slapper in Toronto. His wrister is legit, but that slapper was a revelation. It would have made Brett Hull blush.
- philco28

True, I was at that game too, it was a nice goal. Didn't get to see him take a wrist shot. I just thought it was funny to say Bollig has an elite wrist shot, when I think elite wrist shot I think Sakic( ). Or in the modern era, Semin or Kessel would fit the bill.

True, I was at that game too, it was a nice goal. Didn't get to see him take a wrist shot. I just thought it was funny to say Bollig has an elite wrist shot, when I think elite wrist shot I think Sakic( ). Or in the modern era, Semin or Kessel would fit the bill.
- BestRapperAlive

Did you see Leddy after the game looking for his jock in the stands after Ryan turnstyled him ? Rumor has it...Frank Umiyale sent Leddy a sympathetic tweet.